Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has replaced his popular defense minister, Yoav Gallant, with Israel Katz, who was the foreign minister. The surprise move has sparked protests across Israel.

Netanyahu appointed Foreign Minister Israel Katz to succeed Gallant. It comes as Israel is in the middle of two wars, and is bracing for an attack from Iran.

Netanyahu and Gallant have repeatedly been at odds over the war in Gaza. Netanyahu had avoided firing his rival until world’s attention was focused on the U.S. presidential election.