Ex-IDF Investigator Defends Netanyahu's Oct. 7th Silence

Former head of the IDF's October 7th investigation team, Brigadier General (Res.) Oren Solomon, has pushed back against claims that the political echelon mishandled the initial hours of the surprise attack. Speaking on the radio program 'Lotfi and Zamri on the People' on Radio Galai Israel, Solomon argued that questions about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not immediately contacting the Chief of Staff on October 7th are misplaced.

"Whoever asks these questions either doesn't understand, or understands and tries to deceive," Solomon stated firmly. "The Prime Minister's part in this matter is almost irrelevant. The Chief of Staff and the senior command team should be managing the event."

Radio host Yotam Zamri countered by questioning why the Chief of Staff himself didn't initiate contact with the Prime Minister for three hours after the attack began. Solomon dismissed this, explaining that the command priorities during those critical hours were entirely different. "No. He was supposed to be busy managing the war, giving orders, and directing," Solomon said.

The retired senior officer asserted that the real confusion and questions should be directed at the highest military echelons and their performance during those fateful hours. "The next question should be: What was the Chief of Staff doing during this time? What were the generals doing during this time?" Solomon wondered.

He concluded with a stark assessment of the internal army investigations' findings: "They could have saved hundreds of people and spared many hostages and much damage, and this is a shocking conclusion that is not written in any IDF investigation."