After dismissing his defence minister, Yoav Gallant – and with Trump back in the White House – Benjamin Netanyahu’s position is stronger than ever. Julian Borger reports

It should have been a difficult week for the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. He started the week facing widescale protests against his leadership once more – this time after sacking his popular defence minister, Yoav Gallant.

Seen as the last independent figure in Netanyahu’s coalition, Gallant challenged the prime minister’s war goals and was seen as relatively moderate thanks to his wish to prioritise a hostage deal. When Netanyahu tried to dismiss him in the past he had to back down after demonstrators took to the street in huge numbers. This time, however, the prime minister successfully managed to oust his rival – and the final dissenting voice in his cabinet.