WarSclerotic

Netanyahu to IDF: Focus on Israel’s security, not Galant affair – Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News.

Prime Minister calls on Israel’s defense establishment to stop focusing on document that sparked a row over appointment of the next IDF chief of staff.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday called on Israel’s defense establishment to stop focusing on the document that sparked a row over the appointment of the next Israel Defense Forces chief of staff.

	IDF Chief of Staff Ashkenazi and Prime Minister Netanyahu
	Photo by: Eran Yuffie Cohen

“The IDF top brass must stop dealing with this investigation,” Netanyahu said in a statement, his first public reaction to the affair. “I expect the security and military elite to continue working together and cooperating for the sake of Israel’s security.”

The document, which was exposed on Channel 2 news on August 6, features the logo of Arad Communications, and is said to outline a public relations campaign for GOC Southern Command Yoav Galant, who is among the candidates to succeed IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi.

Police now believe the document was forged, as part of a plot involving current and retired senior IDF officers to influence the appointment.

Netanyahu met earlier Wednesday with Defense Minister Ehud Barak to discuss the apparent tension between him and Ashkenazi.

The premier urged Barak to work quickly to defuse the tension, so as not to allow their unstable relationship affect the security of Israel.

Netanyahu also spoke with Ashkenazi by telephone to relay a similar message, and the two are expected to meet in person in the coming days.

The prime minister also spoke with Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein to ask him to accelerate the police investigation into the document.

Ashkenazi earlier on Wednesday made his first public remarks regarding the document, saying he trusts that authorities will bring the truth to light.

His comments came just hours after the chairman of the Knesset’s security committee called for an emergency session to debate the growing storm over the race for the post of IDF chief amid allegations of forgery and smear tactics among top brass.

While Ashkenazi is not suspected of any criminal offense, he has come under fire for failing to hand immediately to police a document that seems to suggest a conspiracy to cause a rift between him and Barak.

Dozens of people have given statements to police in connection to the affair. Investigators are expected to begin questioning suspects under caution.

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