Israeli opposition, business leaders warn Netanyahu that firing Gallant will harm security and economy

Benny Gantz, chairman of Israel's National Unity party, accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of "security recklessness" following reports that he is close to firing Defence Minister Yoav Gallant with New Hope chairman Gideon Sa’ar.

"What Netanyahu is doing at the moment endangers Israel’s security in the most tangible way that I can remember having been done by a prime minister during a war - and in general," Gantz said.

The opposition politician added that Netanyahu's moves, ahead of potential military actions in Lebanon, recklessly endangers Israel.

Additionally, the Israel Business Forum, which represents most private sector workers in the country, urged Netanyahu to reconsider his reported decision, saying firing Gallant would further harm Israel's war-battered economy.

"It is clear that replacing the defence minister in exchange for a political deal regarding legislation that allows exclusion [of most ultra-Orthodox men] from military service, will exacerbate the gap in equally sharing the burden," the forum said. "[It] will dramatically increase the frustration among the public who bear the burden of the [military] service, and the economic burden."

Gallant's opposition to the Israel government's drafting plan for ultra-Orthodox Jews is believed to be one of the main sources of tension between him and Netanyahu, along with diverging views regarding ceasefire talks in Gaza.

"The Prime Minister knows better than anyone that all the economic indicators show that Israel is deteriorating into an economic abyss and is sinking into a deep recession," the forum adds.