Israel Katz's environment: Hagari's words are a "big warning sign" for him"

December 5, 2024   

After the storm created by the criticism leveled by IDF spokesman Brigadier General Daniel Hegary about the 'Feldstein Law': sources close to Defense Minister Yisrael Katz told Kan News today (Thursday) that Hegary's words constitute a "big warning sign" for him. According to them, "the Defense Minister will not allow this type of behavior from anyone in uniform in the future." The comments follow the minister's public response to Hegary's words, according to which he exceeded all authority - and that he intends to promote disciplinary proceedings against him. Minister Katz said yesterday: "Criticism by an IDF spokesman against the political echelon and against the legislative process in the Knesset is a serious phenomenon and a complete deviation from his authority and from what is permitted and expected of someone in uniform in a democratic regime." The IDF clarified that the Chief of Staff reprimanded the IDF spokesman. After the Chief of Staff's reprimand, Hegeri clarified: "I spoke in a manner that exceeded my authority. The State of Israel is a democratic state and the IDF is subordinate to the political echelon. In the hundreds of statements and questions I have answered since October 7, I have maintained my stateliness. The IDF conveys its position to the relevant parties in matters of legislation through the mechanisms accepted for that purpose, and not in any other way." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also responded after the reprimand: "It is good that the IDF spokesman was put in place to ensure that such a statement is not heard again. In a democratic state, the army is not supposed to intervene in political matters, and certainly not to criticize legislation." Hegeri claimed at the press conference held last night that the 'Feldstein Law' is "a law that is dangerous for the IDF and will result in harm to the lives of fighters and harm to the security of the state." His remarks caused a political storm.