Eisenkot: Remove Barnea from head of the negotiating team, he doesn't understand Arabic

August 22, 2024   

MK Gadi Eisenkot from the state camp called today (Thursday), in an interview with Yossi Yehoshua in Yedioth Ahronoth and the Ynet website, for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to replace Mossad chief Dedi Barnea, who is heading the negotiating team for the hostage deal - and to appoint in his place "an Arabist who understands the language and mentality of the other side.". Unusual warning: These are the things you should not bring near all beaches According to Eisenkot, Israel has been negotiating for more than ten months, and Barnea "has not delivered the goods so far." Another argument, according to Eisenkot, is that Barnea, as head of the Mossad, is supposed to deal with the Iran issue 24/7. The MK noted that he and his party chairman Benny Gantz requested his replacement when they were in the government "more than once." According to him, "Dedi is an excellent man, but he doesn't understand Arabic - he has to deal with the Iranians." He emphasized that it is impossible for the head of the Mossad, who is supposed to deal with Iran, to be engaged in negotiations most of the time. "Both he and Shin Bet head Ronen Bar need to deal with their own challenges - and they are big enough. I told Netanyahu then and I say today: If you trust Dedi Barnea - then give them a mandate and the negotiations will be ruined. If not, replace them." One of the names suggested by Eisenkot is Maj. Gen. (res.) Yoav (Polly) Mordechai, who was the coordinator of government activities in the territories, is considered an Arabist, conducted negotiations with Hamas indirectly through Egypt for many years - and has connections in the Arab world. Polly has expressed opposition to the idea to this day, but it is possible that heavy pressure exerted on him due to the urgency of the situation will cause him to back down. However, this also depends on the level of trust between him and Netanyahu, and it is doubtful whether it exists, and whether Polly, who has retired, will agree to return. The name of another Arabist that came up is the coordinator of government activities in the territories, Maj. Gen. Rassan Alian, who is well acquainted with the issues and the givers and speaks the language. Earlier today, Eisenkot, one of the leaders of the Concept, said in an interview with Galei Tzahal: "All IDF commanders who were responsible for the October 7th blunder should resign as soon as there is a lull in fighting, without waiting for Netanyahu to resign. "These are excellent people who are committed to the State of Israel, but they are responsible for the greatest failure of the state since its founding. Therefore, everyone from the division commander level to the prime minister should end their duties." He added: "This should be in the near future. I cannot say this when there is a possibility of a regional war or a war in Lebanon in the near future, but as soon as the picture becomes clearer and strategic stabilization is achieved - everyone who was involved that day should take responsibility. "Netanyahu was elected by the public, everyone else was appointed, and the government can decide to dismiss them. I am not suggesting that this will happen since these are excellent people, but they should put down the keys." Media figure Yinon Magal responded: "The only reason Eisenkot - who has been wanting to surrender and stop the war for months - is calling for replacing Dedi Barnea is because Barnea is the only one who does not align with the security junta against Netanyahu. "And by the way, Gadi, Barnea knows Arabic like a charm. At least know what you're talking about before you slander.".