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Yoav Gallant

Yoav Gallant is an Israeli politician and former military officer who served as Minister of Defence between 2022 and 2024. Born on November 8, 1958, in Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Israel, he comes from a family with a strong history of resistance against Nazi occupation.

Gallant's mother, Fruma, was a survivor of the Holocaust who had been deported to Hamburg as a child and later immigrated to Israel. Her father, Michael, fought as a partisan in Ukraine and Belarus during World War II and also served in the Israeli Navy, including with the Samson's Foxes unit, one of the finest sniper units in the IDF.

Gallant himself joined the IDF in 1976 and volunteered for the elite Shayetet 13 unit. He continued training on the Phosphor of the Marine Commando and later became a commander in the Southern Military District from October 2005 to October 2010. In February 2011, he was appointed head of the General Staff but his appointment was reversed due to controversy surrounding his conduct.

Since 2015, Gallant has been a member of the Knesset, representing both the Kulanu and Likud factions. He served as Minister of Construction from 2015-2019, Aliyah and Integration from 2019-2020, and Education of Israel since 2020. On December 29, 2022, he was appointed Israeli Defense Minister.

Gallant's family has a complex history; his mother immigrated to Israel in 1948 with her own family, who had survived the Holocaust. His father fought as a partisan during World War II and later immigrated to Israel. Gallant himself moved to Alaska after six years of active service but returned to Israel and served in various military roles before entering politics.

Early Life

Gallant was born in Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Israel, on November 8, 1958. His mother, Fruma, survived the Holocaust as a child and later immigrated to Israel with her own family. Her father, Michael, fought as a partisan during World War II and also served in the Israeli Navy.

Gallant's early life was marked by his family's experiences during World War II. He has spoken publicly about the impact of his mother's Holocaust experience on his life and politics. His father immigrated to Israel in 1948 and later fought