Defense Minister Katz Slams Chairman of Yesh Atid's Remarks as Undemocratic

Defense Minister Yisrael Katz on Wednesday responded to a speech given by the Chairman of Yesh Atid, chairman of Yesh Atid, the previous evening. In his speech, the Chairman of Yesh Atid stated that recent elections demonstrated the government had lost public trust. He urged security officials to remember they serve only the state and encouraged them to stand firm against challenges, assuring them of his full backing. The Chairman of Yesh Atid concluded by directly addressing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, warning him not to exploit Israel's security for political gain.

Minister Katz criticized the Chairman of Yesh Atid's speech as "embarrassing" and politically motivated, comparing it to the tradition of those who rush to declare victory prematurely. Katz specifically condemned the Chairman of Yesh Atid's appeal to senior IDF officials to disregard directives from the Prime Minister and himself, calling it an "undemocratic and detached" statement. Katz asserted that this was a continuation of a "false campaign" waged by the Chairman of Yesh Atid and his allies during the elections concerning alleged disputes between the military and political echelons regarding Iran. The Defense Minister emphasized that the IDF was a full partner in significant achievements against Iran and remains involved in current discussions, vowing to implement all necessary decisions.