Defense Minister Katz Slams Ex-Generals, Warns Against 'Containment Policy'

Defense Minister Israel Katz has launched a sharp verbal attack against former senior security officials and politicians, notably former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot and designated Defense Minister Yair Golan. The core of Katz's criticism centers on the disagreement over the IDF's presence in buffer zones and security areas. Katz stated that Eisenkot supports the IDF's withdrawal from Lebanon and Mount Hermon and opposes the concept of security zones, which he believes are crucial for protecting Israeli communities from jihadist threats. Katz accused Eisenkot of advocating a return to a policy of 'containing dangers,' which would leave residents of the Galilee and Golan Heights exposed.

Katz presented the government's updated security doctrine, which he described as a direct lesson learned from the October 7th events. He asserted that the policy of establishing security zones with a strong IDF presence in Syria, Gaza, Lebanon, and refugee camps in the northern Samaria region is essential for defending Israel's borders and communities against jihadist forces. This, he added, is a cornerstone of the new security concept he is leading with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the IDF.

Furthermore, Katz criticized Yair Golan, who is slated to serve as Defense Minister in an alternative government. Katz claimed that Golan opposes offensive actions against Iran, including the elimination of leaders like Ali Khamenei and large-scale military operations. Katz warned that this represents an outdated and dangerous perspective from former officials that would shift Israel from a policy of offense and initiative back to one of containment and regulation, stating unequivocally, 'This must not be allowed to happen.' He also referenced the dismissal of Yoav Gallant and the dissolution of the war cabinet as marking the beginning of a new policy: 'Terror pays in territory and infrastructure, and there are no more withdrawals.'