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Israeli Opposition: Gallant's Dismissal is a Stab to State Security in Wartime
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Angry statements by Israeli opposition leaders reflect the scale of internal division Israel is experiencing amid a multi-front war threatening its national security

Israeli opposition leaders strongly condemned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to dismiss his defense minister on Wednesday, warning of the implications of this move on national security during wartime.
Opposition leaders, during a joint press conference in Jerusalem, accused Netanyahu of prioritizing his political calculations over national interest following the dismissal of Yoav Gallant.
Former Prime Minister Yair Lapid attacked this decision, saying: "He had a choice between disgrace and war, and he chose disgrace," at a time when Israel faces multiple military challenges. Lapid added, targeting Netanyahu: "Our soldiers cannot trust him, Israeli citizens cannot trust him, yesterday all of Israel saw that."
Opposition leader Benny Gantz, who withdrew from Netanyahu's government in June protesting the absence of a post-Gaza war plan, characterized the timing of this decision as "absolute security negligence."
He continued questioning: "How should our fighters in Lebanon think today after the Defense Minister was dismissed following his issuance of conscription orders," referring to the decision to draft 7,000 ultra-Orthodox Jews who are exempt from military service.
The conscription orders coincided with Tel Aviv's efforts to reinforce its forces facing Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Gantz warned, saying: "We have already seen what our enemies do when they see us torn from within."
Yair Golan from the Labor Party participated in the conference, describing Netanyahu and his government as "illegitimate" and calling on Israelis to "strongly object." Golan suggested: "Only if we all decide not to come to work until elections, only then will the government realize it doesn't have the ability to govern."
Right-wing Yisrael Beiteinu party leader Avigdor Lieberman suggested that Gallant's dismissal aims to "enable exemption laws" dedicated to exempting ultra-Orthodox Jews from military service. Lieberman added: "It's clear that such a move primarily harms the country's security and national unity."
Thousands of Israelis flooded Tel Aviv's streets Tuesday evening protesting Gallant's dismissal, demanding the government intensify efforts to recover those held in Gaza.
Netanyahu appointed his Foreign Minister Israel Katz as Defense Minister, while Gideon Sa'ar, known for his hardline positions, took over the Foreign Affairs portfolio.
Levant-Agencies
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BENEFIT Sponsors BuildHer...
- April 23, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”
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