Netanyahu Reprimands Top Brass Over Air Force Chief's Letter, Citing Embarrassment Before Trump

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sharply criticized IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir during a closed meeting of the smaller security cabinet, after a letter sent by Air Force commander Omer Tischler about a canceled strike on Iran. According to Channel 12, Netanyahu said the letter was a mistake, a national error, and said it hurt Israeli unity and was “embarrassing” in front of U.S. President Donald Trump.

The dispute centers on a planned broad Israeli air operation deep inside Iran, which was reportedly ready to launch last week in response to Iran’s missile attack. Tischler wrote to Air Force personnel that the force had been ready to take off and that the attack was stopped just an hour before departure, after Trump intervened and demanded that Netanyahu cancel it.

In the letter, Tischler appeared to be praising his pilots and describing the dramatic sequence of events. He said the entire Air Force was ready for a wide strike, with “hundreds of targets in the heart of Iran,” and that the attack was halted while crews were still briefing in the squadrons. He also reviewed what he called major Air Force achievements against Iran.

Tischler said the force had hit Iran’s leadership, air defenses and offensive systems, nuclear-related elements, the economy, the chain of command and expertise, and military and national industry. He said this had significantly reduced the threat, extended recovery time, and preserved the ability to act again in Iran if needed. He added that the defense establishment is closely watching international political developments, saying it is still too early to know how they will affect the security situation. The IDF declined to comment on discussions held behind closed doors.