Then-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Employees Aviv Kochavi discuss throughout official celebrations of Israel’s 71st Independence Day, on the President’s residence in Jerusalem, Might 9, 2019. (Picture: Noam Revkin Fenton/Flash90)
Israel Protection Forces Chief of the Normal Employees Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi referred to as Israel’s incoming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally to precise his issues over the Netanyahu coalition’s calls for for army authority, in line with IDF reviews.
The cellphone name occurred final week, as quite a few Israeli establishments raised issues in regards to the politicization of Israel’s protection forces.
In response to an IDF spokesperson, Kochavi initiated the decision to Netanyahu with the approval of Protection Minister Benny Gantz.
The chief of employees reportedly informed Netanyahu — who was prime minister when he was appointed in 2018 — that he’s involved in regards to the penalties of transferring items underneath the management and accountability of the IDF to the authority of a governmental consultant within the Ministry of Protection, and the minister of nationwide safety.
Kochavi made the cellphone name after the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, handed an modification to Israel’s Primary Regulation permitting the switch of two army items.
Kochavi additionally expressed his displeasure with the choice to nominate the chief rabbi of the IDF via an exterior search committee.
Whereas Netanyahu’s workplace didn’t focus on the decision, an IDF spokesperson reported that Netanyahu “agreed that selections associated to the IDF might be made after the IDF presents the implications that may come up from these selections.”
The calls have been leaked to Hebrew information media and solely confirmed afterwards by the IDF, which said that it didn’t leak the calls and stated the IDF ought to be “stored out of political discourse.”
Late on Tuesday, Bezalel Smotrich, one of many ministers who will assume management over the army items, if the regulation is modified, blasted Kochavi, saying the IDF chief of employees “grossly intervened.” Smotrich additionally referred to as for an extended “cooling off” interval earlier than former chiefs of employees are allowed to enter politics.
Kochavi might be changed as IDF chief of employees by Herzi Halevi on Jan. 17, after finishing his four-year time period within the place.
