The head of the "official right" party, Gideon Sa'ar, obtained the approval of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to obtain veto power regarding the advancement of legal legislation related to the Netanyahu government's plan to weaken the judiciary, which it presents as a plan to reform the judiciary, within the framework of the ongoing negotiations to expand the government coalition and dismiss the Minister of Defense, Yoav Galant, and replace him with Sa'ar, according to what Israeli media revealed on Tuesday.

According to reports, “Netanyahu agreed with Sa’ar that with Sa’ar joining the government, all coalition party leaders, including Sa’ar himself, will have to approve any legislation before it is advanced in the Knesset or approved by the government.” However, Sa’ar will not have to approve other steps related to “judicial reform,” such as dismissals and appointments. The two sides also agreed that Netanyahu will pre-determine the identity of the next IDF chief of staff.

In Israel, the Defense Ministry has the authority to nominate candidates for the position of chief of staff, but the appointment requires government approval, and therefore the defense minister must coordinate with the prime minister on the appointment. It is not yet clear whether Netanyahu and Sa’ar will wait for the resignation of the current chief of staff, Herzi Halevi, or move to dismiss him. A decision on this matter is expected to be made later, depending on developments in the war.

According to the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation ("Kan 11"), Netanyahu and Sa'ar hope to put the final touches on the possible agreement to expand Netanyahu's coalition and have Sa'ar join the government within the day, and to announce the agreement that would extend the life of Netanyahu's current government.

Israeli media revealed on Monday that Netanyahu is considering dismissing Defense Minister Galant on the grounds that he opposes the attack on Lebanon. Informed sources reported that this decision comes within the framework of progress in the negotiations Netanyahu is conducting with Sa'ar to join the government. Sources within the Likud party explained that this progress was achieved after the Prime Minister's wife, Sara Netanyahu, withdrew her opposition to appointing Sa'ar as Defense Minister.

The issue of the Haredi military service exemption law also came up in the negotiations with Sa'ar. A senior Likud minister said Netanyahu decided to fire Galant because he "does not agree with him" on the law. Senior Likud officials assessed that the decision to fire Galant was made now because of United Torah Judaism's demands to expedite the passage of a new draft exemption law. "Netanyahu fears that the Haredim will cause the collapse of the government, and Galant is the obstacle to the draft exemption law," the minister said.

The Prime Minister's Office denied that there were any talks to bring Sa'ar into the government, but did not comment on reports that Netanyahu intended to fire Galant. Sources close to Sa'ar confirmed that his position remains the same, that "any legislation regarding the conscription law must be based on the needs of the IDF, and coordinated with the security establishment."

Sa'ar responded this morning to the criticism directed at him, which focused on a document he signed in 2021 on a TV show on Channel 12, in which he pledged not to join a government led by Netanyahu, saying: "I signed in 2021 and fulfilled my pledge."

According to Channel 12, the potential agreement between Netanyahu and Sa'ar includes Sa'ar joining the government and taking over the Defense Ministry, Ze'ev Elkin and Sa'ar returning to the Likud party, Elkin being appointed Minister of Northern and Southern Affairs along with another portfolio, and Sharren Haskel being appointed Deputy Minister; in addition to Sa'ar's pledge to support the government's budget and allow Netanyahu to complete his term until 2026.