The Israeli Minister of Defense again reappears the chief of staff and accuses him of going beyond his prerogatives
Israeli Minister of Defense Israel Katz again attacked the chief of staff of the army on Wednesday. In a press release relayed in particular by Haaretz et The Times of Israelhe considered that Eyal Zamir’s behavior harmed the interests of the Israeli army and assured that he was closely monitoring the decisions relating to military staff.
The two men clashed publicly after the minister challenged the military promotions approved by Eyal Zamir. “In accordance with the law, it is I who decides to approve promotions from the rank of colonel, and the head of the Israeli army is responsible for recommending different options”, continued Israel Katz in his press release.
“The attempt to modify the procedures that we have decided, perhaps on the recommendation of anti-government advisers which stir up tensions, and to replace them with an attempt to create facts accomplished during improvised meetings, will not succeed”adds Mr. Katz in his declaration. “It is regrettable that this unnecessary damage has been inflicted on the Israeli army officers, many of whom are heroes who have sacrificed themselves for the security of Israel”he continued.
For two weeks, tensions have appeared in broad daylight between the chief of staff and the government of the Israeli Prime Minister, Benyamin Netanyahu, about the continuation of military operations in the Gaza Strip to release the Israeli hostages and defeat Hamas.
According to the national press, General Zamir was opposed to the plan validated on Friday of a takeover of the Gaza Strip and in particular that of the City of Gaza, a densely populated area which for the moment escapes Israeli military control exercised on some 75 % of the Palestinian territory.
According to Haaretz, Eyal Zamir would have declared during discussions with generals and with personalities outside the army that the Prime Minister’s family had targeted him after he opposed the plan for Gaza, and that the entourage of Benyamin Netanyahu wished to dismiss him.