In pictures: Thousands take to the streets across Israel after DM Gallant fired

Israelis had previously taken to the streets to protest Gallant's firing by Netanyahu in March 2023.

 Israelis gather to protest the firing of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, November 5, 2024. (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)
Israelis gather to protest the firing of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, November 5, 2024.
(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)

Thousands of Israelis took the streets to protest across the country on Tuesday evening after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. 

 Israelis block the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv as they protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to fire Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, November 5, 2024. (credit: TOMER NEUBERG/FLASH90)
Israelis block the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv as they protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to fire Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, November 5, 2024. (credit: TOMER NEUBERG/FLASH90)

The move comes as Israel is braced for a direct Iranian attack and after the IDF under Gallant’s command executed a successful strike on the Islamic Republic that targeted its missile production facilities.

 Israelis block the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv as they protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to fire Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, November 5, 2024.  (credit: TOMER NEUBERG/FLASH90)
Israelis block the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv as they protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to fire Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, November 5, 2024. (credit: TOMER NEUBERG/FLASH90)

“In the midst of a war, more than ever, full trust is required between the prime minister and the minister of defense,” Netanyahu stated.

 Israelis gather to protest the firing of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv, November 5, 2024. (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI)
Israelis gather to protest the firing of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv, November 5, 2024. (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI)

Netanyahu laid out his rationale for Gallant’s removal while the country was over a year into a war with Iran and its proxies. 

 Israelis protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to fire Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, near the Prime Minister's residence in Jerusalem, November 5, 2024. (credit: CHAIM GOLDBEG/FLASH90)
Israelis protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to fire Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, near the Prime Minister's residence in Jerusalem, November 5, 2024. (credit: CHAIM GOLDBEG/FLASH90)

Hundreds of thousands of Israelis protested in March 2023 after Netanyahu fired Gallant for opposing the controversial judicial reforms, only to only reinstate the defense minister after protests and threats to shut down the economy. 

 Israelis protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to fire Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, near the Prime Minister's residence in Jerusalem, November 5, 2024.  (credit: CHAIM GOLDBEG/FLASH90)
Israelis protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to fire Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, near the Prime Minister's residence in Jerusalem, November 5, 2024. (credit: CHAIM GOLDBEG/FLASH90)

The largest protests took place in Tel Aviv, with additional sites in Jerusalem, Caesarea, and Haifa. Two individuals were arrested in Haifa, the Israel Police announced. 

 Israelis block the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv as they protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to fire Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, November 5, 2024. (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI)
Israelis block the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv as they protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to fire Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, November 5, 2024. (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI)

Eliav Breuer and Tovah Lazaroff contributed to this report.