Because of Smotrich and Ben Gvir: Kochavi had an "unpleasant conversation," Netanyahu reassured

December 26, 2022   

In the shadow of the concern in the IDF following the changes demanded by Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir in the coalition agreements with the Likud - Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu held a "calming conversation" with Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi last weekend. This was reported this evening (Monday) on Channel 13. In a conversation with Netanyahu, Chief of Staff Kochavi expressed his concern about the transfer of authority from the IDF to external entities, and requested that the IDF be given the opportunity to express its professional position before a decision or legislation is made - and that the army's position be heard before any decision is made. According to the report, Kochavi also expressed deep concern about the escalation in the IDF and harm to its personnel. Senior IDF officials said that it was an unpleasant conversation, and that Chief of Staff Kochavi was nervous - and said to Netanyahu: "Why don't you express support for the IDF? I ask that any decision and legislation regarding the IDF and its powers not be taken before they hear the IDF's professional position." An IDF spokesperson responded: "The IDF did not initiate the publication of the conversation and does not stand behind false quotes attributed to it. The Chief of Staff did indeed speak with the designated Prime Minister in recent days following the publications about the legislative options related to the IDF. In the conversation, it was agreed that decisions related to the IDF will be made after the IDF presents the implications and meanings stemming from these decisions. The IDF should be kept out of the political discourse." Netanyahu's office responded: "We do not comment on the conversations between the designated Prime Minister and senior security officials.".