The Battle of Narratives in Israel.. Why Did Galant Attack Netanyahu and Why Now?

SadaNews - The political debate in Israel is heating up as mutual accusations escalate regarding responsibility for the failures of October 7, 2023. The battle of narratives has ignited between key actors, alongside continuous Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip despite the announced halt to the genocide war.

In the latest chapter of this confrontation, former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant launched a direct attack on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling him a liar and accusing him of fabricating a misleading narrative to evade responsibility for the attack carried out by Palestinian resistance factions, which is considered an unprecedented security, intelligence, military, and political failure according to widespread assessments within Israel.

This exchange between Galant and Netanyahu may have broader implications, as both are accused before the International Criminal Court of committing war crimes in Gaza, and the court issued arrest warrants for each of them on November 21, 2024.

So, what did Galant say in his attack, and what are the key contradictions between his narrative and Netanyahu’s narrative?

1- What Sparked the Debate?

Galant's statements came after Netanyahu published, late Thursday night, a 55-page document containing the responses he submitted to State Auditor Matanyahu Englman regarding the events of October 7, 2023, and what preceded it, explaining that he submitted these responses at the end of 2025.

According to Israeli media, Netanyahu shifted blame back to the military and previous governments, hinting that security and political officials had underestimated the severity of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) - as he put it - or opposed taking decisive steps against it, in an attempt to evade responsibility.

According to the same sources, Netanyahu sought, by publishing "selective excerpts" from the minutes of governmental and security discussions, to present himself as "the most hardline towards Hamas," claiming that he pushed for the assassination of its leaders and preparation for broader options in the Gaza Strip.

2- How Did Galant Respond to Netanyahu's Document?

Galant responded to Netanyahu's document in a sharp interview with Israeli Channel 12 on Saturday, saying, "We have a lying Prime Minister... while our soldiers were dying, he chose to stab them in the back," referring to Netanyahu blaming the army's leaders and the security establishment during the height of the confrontation.

The former Israeli Defense Minister, who was dismissed from his position in late 2024, considered that the timing of the document's publication falls within the framework of shifting responsibility to others and inciting against security leaders, confirming that Netanyahu incited his ministers against the leaders of the army and the Israeli internal security service (Shabak).

Contrary to what Netanyahu promoted, Galant said that the Prime Minister was not supportive of the assassination of the Secretary-General of Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah, revealing a gap between the staunch public rhetoric and the actual political calculations within the government.

Galant also accused Netanyahu of adopting a policy of funneling money to Hamas under the pretext that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas refuses to pay money to the Gaza Strip, a policy the former Defense Minister claimed has contributed to strengthening the movement rather than deterring it.

3- How Do Galant and Netanyahu's Narratives Contradict Regarding Rafah?

In one of the more sensitive points, Galant debunked Netanyahu's claim that the delay in the Israeli army's entry into the city of Rafah in southern Gaza in 2024 was due to concerns within the army leadership, clarifying that the real reason was the army trying to supply itself with supplies, after dedicating ammunition to repel any potential conflict on the northern front.

Galant said, "Netanyahu's priority is himself, then his government, then the country," adding that the Prime Minister "takes credit for actions after they are done, if successful. If not, the responsibility falls on someone else."

Galant also categorically rejected Netanyahu's claim, which he made at a press conference at the end of January, that Israeli soldiers were killed due to a "ban" imposed by the administration of former U.S. President Joe Biden, resulting in a shortage of essential ammunition. He stated in this context, "This is not true, even if the Americans made it difficult for us."

4- What Does Galant's Timing in Speaking Out Suggest?

Galant described Netanyahu's response to the State Auditor as a "manipulation of the narrative," by excerpting parts of discussions and phrases from different temporal contexts, and assembling them to appear as a coherent narrative, adding, "Netanyahu does not tell the truth, and certainly does not tell the whole truth."

This came after Netanyahu cited discussions that took place in September 2023, including a cabinet meeting on September 12, where he quoted Galant as saying that the security situation in Gaza was "stable," and that Israel should "restrain its forces" against Hamas.

Galant's attack comes at a time when divisions within Israel deepen, and polarization between the parties increases ahead of the upcoming Knesset (parliament) elections. The current Knesset's term ends in October, with estimates suggesting the likelihood of early elections in the middle of this year.

Just days ago, a poll conducted by the Lazar Institute for Maariv showed that 53% of Israelis believe now is the time to end Netanyahu's political career. However, Netanyahu - who is being prosecuted for corruption cases - is determined to run in the upcoming elections.

Maariv reported that 68% of Israelis fear that political disputes could escalate into violence ahead of the elections.

5- Why Did the Opposition Leader Join the Attack?

Israeli Opposition Leader Yair Lapid joined Galant in rebuking the Prime Minister, considering Netanyahu's document a blatant attempt to erase his responsibility for Israel's failure to respond to the attack on October 7, 2023.

Lapid noted that he attended a meeting with Netanyahu in August 2023, during which intelligence information clearly showed the "danger of a situation escalating to levels we have not seen in years."

This prompted the Opposition Leader to hold a press conference the following month to warn that "we are heading towards a violent multi-front confrontation," without anticipating a large-scale attack from Gaza.

Lapid questioned, "If the Opposition Leader was aware of this, how can the Prime Minister claim he was not informed?"

6- Do These Statements Set the Stage for a New Political Phase in Israel?

These mutual accusations come at a time when Netanyahu has so far refused to form an official inquiry committee into the events of October 7, 2023, amid accusations of trying to avoid responsibility while insisting on forming an unofficial "political" committee in which the coalition participates in selecting its members, which the opposition rejects.

Observers believe that what Israel is experiencing today is not limited to a traditional political struggle but extends to what can be described as an "emotional battle" within the state and society, in light of the implications of October 7, followed by the genocide war on Gaza, which is compared within Israel to the aftershocks of the 1973 war, and is viewed as having a more significant impact on the image of the army and the political establishment.

As election deadlines approach, this confrontation is expected to escalate, revealing more hidden details and establishing a new political phase characterized by the prominent question of "who succeeds in imposing their narrative about the deadliest failure in Israel's history?".