During the last political-security cabinet meeting held last night in the Kirya in Tel Aviv, an unusual confrontation developed between IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and government ministers - over the arrest of reserve soldiers at the Yemenite Field and the break-in of civilians, along with MKs, into the Yemenite Field base.
Despite the security alert against Hezbollah and Iran, the Chief of Staff was the one who raised the issue on his own initiative before the security update - when he told the ministers: "The decision to open an investigation was the right decision. We give full support to the soldiers, and hope that they will be found acquitted. But when we receive information about such serious acts, I don't want such things in the IDF, and there is no dilemma about whether to investigate.".
According to a report on the Ynet website, some ministers, including Transportation Minister Miri Regev, were surprised that the Chief of Staff chose to bring the issue up for discussion. "And more on your own initiative?" Regev was surprised.
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Halevi replied: "Absolutely, it's always better to take the initiative.".
He explained that it was important for him to speak out on the issue because some ministers did not even condemn the actions. "I expect ministers to speak out against infiltration of bases. When we receive information about inappropriate things in the IDF, what do you expect us to do?""
Minister Ben-Gvir criticized the decision to send masked military police to arrest the soldiers - and Levy referred to the threats against the unit's investigators. "They had to come with veils because they would be recognized and threatened. There was no choice.".
Justice Minister Yariv Levin responded: "My life and the Prime Minister's have been threatened for more than a year, and we don't wear masks.".
Ben Gvir added and wondered: "But is this the way?""
Halevi replied to both - and taunted Ben Gvir, who said that the prison service falls under his ministry's responsibility: "This is the way to protect IDF soldiers. The best way to do this is for the IDF not to run prisons, and those who do need to - will do so. The IDF does not want to run prisons. The investigators arrived in a quiet and respectful manner.".
At this point, Ben Gvir tried to interrupt the Chief of Staff and respond to him - but Netanyahu dissuaded him. "Now you will not speak. This is not your time to speak. Now he is speaking. You will speak when your turn comes.".
Ben Gvir was not left behind. "You're shutting me up. We all know that you conducted an investigation to appease the Hague. You're again afraid of pressure." He added: "You won't shut me up.".
Minister Gila Gamliel, who is not a cabinet member but is present at the discussions, intervened: "Be quiet already." Ben Gvir taunted her: "Are you even observing...""
At this point, the Chief of Staff put forward a new argument: "Military police officers should wear veils, because when an IDF company commander is interviewed with his face exposed, he is shouted at.".
Justice Minister Yariv Levin replied: "They don't need to be interviewed at all. That's not their job.".
The Chief of Staff continued to detail cases in which there was incitement online against a MPI investigator and photos of female officers in the Military Prosecutor's Office were published: "Soldiers do not have to arrive on a mission with masks, there are considerations that are accepted in order to protect the force. You should know that three days ago they posted a post that seems to be pointing a gun at a MPI investigator and pressuring him. They published photos of female IDF officers from the Prosecutor's Office on the Internet and referred to them. They are allowing people's blood to be shed.".
The ministers again compared the incitement against the soldiers to incitement against Netanyahu. Regev: "The prime minister absorbs it every day.".
At this point, the Chief of Staff scolded: "In addition to statements from us commanders, we need statements from the leadership that will support the action.".
Minister Ben Gvir replied: "Our support, mine at least, is for the fighters. I support them, not these shameful arrests.".
Netanyahu criticized the Chief of Staff and said that he was not willing to preach to the ministers. "Don't preach to the ministers. Just as you don't want an attitude of abuse in the IDF, it is not your job to preach to the ministers.".
Halevi replied: "I'm not preaching. I expect you to encourage us to handle serious cases, and not the other way around.".
Netanyahu concluded the discussion by saying that the events should be investigated: "We are a country of law and if someone violates the law, they should be investigated and brought to justice. The problem is in the manner of operation, because we are not in a normal situation. We need to understand a little more. There is no place to break into bases, into courts. The army should work according to the law. It would have been more correct to be flexible - between the need for versions not to match and clarifying the matter.".
An IDF spokesman said in response: "We will not comment on what is said in closed and classified discussions.".
