46 min: Winter holds a recording of a conversation with the Chief of Staff in which he was asked to resign

December 16, 2024   

Reserve Brigadier General Ofer Winter holds a recording of the conversation with the Chief of Staff, in which he said Herzi Halevi opposed his appointment as the Prime Minister's Military Secretary. This was reported this evening (Monday) on 'Kan Hades'. The exchange began after the publication of a segment from an interview that Winter gave to the 'Yahiye Tov' program on 'Kan Hades', in which he revealed a dramatic conversation he had with the Chief of Staff five days before October 7. According to him, Herzi Halevi told him: "The Prime Minister asked to appoint you as Military Secretary. I think you are not suitable. I consulted with the General Staff forum. Your strategic thinking is not suitable for the General Staff. I am asking you to retire from the army and that is at the discretion of the Minister of Defense. Besides, I think the Prime Minister's request (to appoint you) is irrelevant." Winter said in the interview: "If I am the Prime Minister, or someone else, Arik Sharon, for example - his head is blown off in a second. Who are you, brazen! Who are you? You are confused! You are a confused Chief of Staff, the Prime Minister's consideration is none of my business? Who are you anyway? You are subordinate to the Prime Minister and the political echelon." The Chief of Staff denied Winter's words, and an IDF spokesperson said: 'The words were not said. The meeting in question is documented in the Chief of Staff's office.' Winter, in response, asked the Chief of Staff to publish the official documentation of the conversation, but so far he has not granted the request. He added that he is willing to undergo a polygraph test to prove that he is telling the truth. Winter said: 'I have heard a variety of claims from elements in the military system throughout my 30 years of service in the IDF. I have never heard the word 'liar.' I have commanded thousands of fighters and commanders who all know the rule well - 'A word is a word. A summary is a summary.' 'I urge the Chief of Staff and his spokespeople to release the full recording in an unedited and unedited form - 46 very clear minutes. The public will hear and judge.".