Israel's Defense Minister Slams Opposition Leader's Call to IDF

Defense Minister Исраэль Кац on Wednesday called "shameful" a statement made by Yahad Party Chairman Гади Айзенкот, who urged security leaders to "remember that you serve only the state and the interests of its citizens" and to "show firmness in the face of any attempt to challenge you." Айзенкот also directly addressed Prime Minister Биньямин Нетаниягу, stating, "Don't dare to use Israel's security for your political needs."

Кац condemned Айзенкот's appeal to senior IDF officials to disobey the Prime Minister and authorized security bodies as "undemocratic and detached from reality." He characterized it as a continuation of a "lying campaign" by Айзенкот and his allies during the election period, alleging nonexistent conflicts between military and political leadership over Iran policy. The Defense Minister stated that while victory songs are being sung prematurely, a direct call for disobedience to the IDF command and security leaders, with promises of support, crosses all boundaries.

Кац affirmed that the IDF has been a full participant in all major achievements against Iran, continues to be involved in all discussions, and will implement all decisions. Айзенкот's remarks came as exit polls indicated a near-tie between Нетаниягу's bloc and the opposition, yet he referred to Нетаниягу as the "head of a transitional government without a mandate or trust."

The controversy follows reports of alleged friction between Нетаниягу and IDF Chief of Staff Эяль Замир. The New York Times reported on October 27, citing defense officials, that Замир was increasingly concerned Нетаниягу was seeking a limited operation against Iran. Earlier, Channel 12 News reported a sharp conflict, with military leadership fearing the government might exploit the Iran issue for political gain before the elections. Sources indicated a potential operation that could lead to a swift clash with Iran was at the center of the dispute, with a tense meeting between Нетаниягу and Замир on October 25 at the Palmachim base.

The IDF spokesperson's office on October 26 issued a statement clarifying that IDF operations and decisions are driven solely by security considerations, are professional and state-oriented, and any other discourse is misleading. The IDF is focused on its tasks and remains on high alert given current threats.