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Former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant, who had several confrontations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel's war in Gaza before being sacked in November, announced his resignation from parliament on Wednesday evening.
In a televised speech, Mr Gallant accused the government of undermining national security but said he would remain a member of Mr Netanyahu's Likud party.
Mr Gallant had often broken ranks with Mr Netanyahu and his coalition allies of far-right and religious parties, including over exemptions granted to ultra-Orthodox Jewish men from military service.
In his statement, Mr Gallant said drafting the ultra-Orthodox Jews was a “necessary security and military need”.
“Due to my insistence on prioritising the good of the state of Israel and the needs of the IDF, I was removed from my position as minister of defence," he said. "Just as it is on the battlefield, so it is in public service. There are moments in which one must stop, assess and choose a direction in order to achieve the goals."
Mr Gallant has also clashed with Mr Netanyahu over the need to reach a ceasefire with Hamas to ensure the return of hostages seized by Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups in Gaza during an attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. The militants killed nearly 1,200 people and took about 250 captives back to Gaza, leading to the Israeli military war on Gaza in which more than 45,500 people have been killed so far.
In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant, as well as Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, who the Israeli military says it killed in Gaza.
The court said it had found "reasonable grounds" to believe the two ministers bore "criminal responsibility" for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare, as well as the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution and other inhumane acts.
Mr Gallant's resignation came as relatives of the hostages and activists blocked a main road in Tel Aviv during a protest to demand a ceasefire deal and the immediate release of hostages.
Holding placards showing photos of their loved ones, and shouting slogans, protesters criticised Mr Netanyahu's failure in reaching an early agreement with Hamas to release about 100 hostages still being held in Gaza, some of whom are believed to be dead.
"Our loved ones are enduring a living nightmare in Hamas captivity because Netanyahu is deciding to abandon them there,” hostage families said in a statement. “Instead of ending the war through a comprehensive deal that would bring all captives home, Netanyahu continues to sabotage the negotiations.”
Opposition figures and families have accused Mr Netanyahu of obstructing a ceasefire deal for political survival. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have threatened to withdraw from the government if a ceasefire is agreed on.
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Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
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The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.
The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.
“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.
“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”
Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.
Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.
“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.
From exhibitions to the battlefield
In 2016, the Shaded Dome was awarded with the 'De Vernufteling' people's choice award, an annual prize by the Dutch Association of Consulting Engineers and the Royal Netherlands Society of Engineers for the most innovative project by a Dutch engineering firm.
It was assigned by the Dutch Ministry of Defence to modify the Shaded Dome to make it suitable for ballistic protection. Royal HaskoningDHV, one of the companies which designed the dome, is an independent international engineering and project management consultancy, leading the way in sustainable development and innovation.
It is driving positive change through innovation and technology, helping use resources more efficiently.
It aims to minimise the impact on the environment by leading by example in its projects in sustainable development and innovation, to become part of the solution to a more sustainable society now and into the future.
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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