Smotrich: 'Stop this scandal' • Ben Gvir: 'Impeach Gallant''

2 May 2024   

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is sharply criticizing the round of appointments in the General Staff this evening (Thursday) - and is calling on the Prime Minister to dismiss the Minister of Defense. It should be noted that this involves the appointment of three new religious generals in the General Staff. "Glant, one of the leaders of the Conception and one of those most prominently responsible for the failure of the oath-taking in October, has no mandate to approve the appointments of generals and shape the next IDF General Staff," said Ben-Gvir. He added: "The appointments that Galant decided on today together with the Chief of Staff show that he is completely bluffing the public." Ben Gvir emphasized: "This has nothing to do with the identity of the officers who were appointed, some of whom may be very deserving, but rather with Gallant's decision to continue as if the greatest failure in the history of the country did not occur under his responsibility as Minister of Defense. "In light of the circumstances, I call on the Prime Minister to remove Gallant from his position - he is unworthy of continuing to serve as Minister of Defense." Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also sharply criticizes the round of appointments in the IDF: "I repeat, regardless of the identity of the officers, the appointments of IDF generals who will lead the correction of the army after the failure cannot be made by the Chief of Staff who signed off on the military failure. This is not legitimate. This is not how you make corrections. This is not how you restore trust. This is not how you appoint a new top brass to the army whose perceptions need correction and replacement." He added: "The time has come for the prime minister, who bears ultimate responsibility, to take the reins, put the defense minister and the chief of staff in their place and stop this scandal." Minister Amichai Shikli criticized the appointment of Brigadier General Binder to the position of head of the Military Intelligence: "We do not know the extent of Shlomi Binder's responsibility for the October 7th lapse. It would have been right to appoint a replacement until the investigations are complete. In my opinion, this is a mistake, even a very serious mistake." On the other hand, opposition leader Yair Lapid rejects criticism of the round of appointments by those responsible for the major lapse: "Appointing officers in the IDF is the role and duty of the chief of staff and the defense minister. The reckless attempt by Ben Gvir and Smotrich, two schemers who never actually served in the army, to take over the IDF will not succeed. "If anyone needs to resign, it is this reckless and destructive government, under whose watch we suffered the most terrible massacre in the history of the country and has been conducting a failed and dangerous political campaign ever since. I wish the new champions success in their positions." "Let every Jewish mother know that the fate of her children is not entrusted to irresponsible messianic extremists, but to experienced officers who will protect the people of Israel." This evening, the Minister of Defense approved the recommendation of Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi for the following appointments to the General Staff: • Brigadier General Avi Balut will be appointed to the position of Commander of the Central Command. The officer will be promoted to the rank of Major General. • Brigadier General Shlomi Binder will be appointed to the position of Head of the Intelligence Division. The officer will be promoted to the rank of Major General. • Brigadier General Dan Goldfuss will be appointed to the position of Commander of the Northern Corps and Commander of the Maneuvering Division in the Land Arm. The officer will be promoted to the rank of Major General. • Brigadier General Dado Bar Khalifa will be appointed to the position of Head of the Human Resources Division. The officer will be promoted to the rank of Major General. • Brigadier General Aviad Dagan will be appointed to the position of Head of the ICT Division. The officer will be promoted to the rank of Major General.