IDF Chief Circumvents Defense Minister to Keep Brigadier General Eliaad Moati in Service

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has found a way to retain Brigadier General Eliaad Moati in the Israel Defense Forces despite Defense Minister Israel Katz blocking his promotion. Moati recently completed his role as commander of the National Ground Training Center at Tze'elim and will soon take a leave of absence. Afterward, he will serve as a project officer in the Ground Forces branch, a position that does not require the defense minister's approval. This arrangement preserves the possibility of promoting Moati to division commander in the future, potentially after the upcoming elections if there is a change in the defense minister.

Zamir had previously sought to appoint Moati as commander of the 210th Division, but Katz canceled the nomination. This occurred despite findings from the Turgeman Committee investigations, which cleared the officers involved and found no fault in their conduct. According to assessments, Moati's next likely assignment could be commanding the Judea and Samaria Division.

The IDF spokesperson confirmed that Brigadier General Eliaad Moati completed his command of the National Ground Training Center last week after about a year and will soon go on leave before assuming his new role as project officer.