Likud tribunal rejects petitions to expel ex-defense minister Yoav Gallant

An internal tribunal within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party has rejected petitions to expel former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, marking a significant internal political decision. The tribunal's ruling was unanimous, finding no constitutional basis to remove Gallant, a long-standing member of the party, despite acknowledging criticisms of his conduct.

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The tribunal had reached the only decision that enables it to be a legitimate institute.

Gallant's actions, including his opposition to the Likud-led judicial overhaul and efforts to legislate draft exemptions for yeshiva students, were noted by the tribunal. However, the judges emphasized that a lawmaker's primary duty is to the state, not the party. They suggested that any judgment on Gallant's motives and whether he acted in the national interest should be left to the voters, not party officials. The tribunal also cautioned against using disloyalty allegations to settle internal political disputes.

Following the decision, Gallant described the expulsion attempt as an "attempted political assassination" fueled by "gross lies." He stated that the tribunal's verdict "clearly stresses" that the actions of some party representatives in the Knesset, particularly their support for draft evasion, are contrary to Likud values. Gallant had previously been fired by Netanyahu amidst policy disagreements and has been a vocal critic of the prime minister since.

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The effort to push me out was an attempted political assassination based on gross lies.

Gallant resigned from the Knesset in January 2025, months after being dismissed from his cabinet post for a second time. He had also ruled out running in the upcoming elections scheduled for October. The petitions against him were filed prior to these developments. As a former general, Gallant served as defense minister during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack and led the security establishment through the initial year of the Gaza war and conflict with Hezbollah.

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The verdict clearly stresses: The direction of a significant part of the party representatives in the Knesset, and their support for mass dodging of IDF draft is devoid of Likud values.