Feiglin Vows to Fire IDF Chief of Staff if Appointed Defense Minister

Moshe Feiglin, chairman of the Zehut party, has outlined his policy intentions for a potential future government, stating that if appointed as Defense Minister, his first action would be to dismiss the current IDF Chief of Staff, Aviv Kochavi. Feiglin asserted that Kochavi "must go home," attributing the failures leading to the October 7th Hamas attacks to a "progressive" generation of commanders to which Kochavi belongs.

Feiglin's remarks come as his party, in a joint list with Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionism party, is polling slightly above the electoral threshold. Kochavi assumed the role of Chief of Staff midway through the ongoing conflict in Gaza, following significant criticism of his predecessor, Herzi Halevi. Kochavi was recalled from reserve duty, where he served as Director-General of the Defense Ministry, to take up the military post.

Despite some criticism regarding Kochavi's conduct during the war, he has largely avoided direct public criticism from within the Netanyahu bloc. Feiglin's strong statement signals a potential clash over military leadership should his party gain influence in the next government.