Defense Minister Katz Slams Eisenkot for 'Detached' Remarks to Security Chiefs
Defense Minister Israel Katz attacked Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Gadi Eisenkot for urging security officials to disregard political directives. Katz called Eisenkot's appeal undemocratic and a continuation of election campaign claims about political-military disputes. Eisenkot had previously stated Netanyahu is a transitional prime minister and called on security chiefs to serve Israel's interests, not political ones. Eisenkot also declared the election results a mandate for change and called for Netanyahu's resignation.
הידיעה ב-5 שורות · תקציר של baba
- Defense Minister Katz called Gadi Eisenkot's appeal to security chiefs undemocratic and detached.
- Eisenkot urged security officials to serve Israel's interests and disregard directives from a "transitional" PM.
- Katz accused Eisenkot of continuing a "false campaign" about political-military disputes over Iran.
- Eisenkot claimed election results mandate change and called for Netanyahu's resignation.
- Eisenkot pledged to form a stable government and avoid new elections.
Defense Minister Israel Katz fiercely criticized Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, following Eisenkot's speech the previous evening. In his address at the party's Tel Aviv headquarters, Eisenkot had appealed to senior figures in the security and public service sectors, pledging his support against any attempts by the political echelon to challenge them. Katz condemned Eisenkot's call to IDF commanders to disregard directives from the Prime Minister and authorized security forums, stating, "His appeal to senior IDF officials not to obey instructions from the Prime Minister and myself and from the authorized security forums 'because they have his backing' is an undemocratic and detached statement."
Eisenkot had declared in his speech, "I appeal to the heads of the security system and the public service: Netanyahu is a transitional prime minister, without a mandate or trust. Remember that you serve the kingdom and the interests of the citizens of Israel alone. Stand strong and firm against any attempt to challenge you. You have my clear backing." He then directly addressed Netanyahu, warning him, "Don't dare to use Israel's security for your political needs."
Katz linked Eisenkot's remarks to claims made during the election campaign about disagreements between the political and military echelons regarding Iran. He characterized it as "a continuation of the false campaign he and his colleagues waged during the elections on the issue of alleged conflicts between the military and political levels concerning Iran." The Defense Minister asserted that the IDF had been and continues to be involved in discussions and operations concerning Iran. "The IDF was a full partner in the great achievements against Iran and today also participates in all discussions, and will fulfill any decision required," Katz stated.
Katz also mocked Eisenkot's political pronouncements on election night, calling his speech "embarrassing" and characteristic of those who prematurely celebrate. Eisenkot had claimed in his speech that the election results signaled a public decision against Netanyahu continuing as prime minister, urging him to leave politics. Eisenkot pledged to work with his partners to form a "Zionist, stable, and good government for all citizens of Israel" and to prevent further elections, outlining principles such as recognizing Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, upholding the Declaration of Independence, enacting a universal service law, and dismantling Hamas.
לא אותו אירוע: ידיעות אחרות שחולקות עם הידיעה הזו אנשים, מקומות או נושא. רקע, תגובות והמשכים.
