Fallout in the Cabinet: Netanyahu Allies Regret Appointing IDF Chief Zamir, Claiming He's "Too Independent"

Sources close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have expressed deep regret over the appointment of IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, saying, "We made a mistake with his appointment. He is acting too independently and doing the opposite of everything he promised us." This was reported tonight (Tuesday) by Kan News, highlighting a growing rift at the highest levels of Israel’s security establishment.

The public feud between Zamir and Defense Minister Yisrael Katz prompted the Prime Minister to hold separate meetings with both men today in an attempt to contain the crisis. The meeting between Netanyahu and Zamir lasted over an hour and was described by informed sources as having taken place in a "good spirit."

Netanyahu Criticizes Public Spat

During his meetings, Netanyahu sharply criticized both Zamir and Katz for their public statements and demanded an immediate cessation of the open discourse.

Netanyahu also directly addressed Zamir, conveying his dissatisfaction with the Chief of Staff's recent conduct, particularly the long public statement Zamir issued against the Defense Minister. The Prime Minister told Zamir, "You are the Chief of Staff, and you are right about a few things, but you are subordinate to the political echelon."

Sources close to the Prime Minister added that Katz "needs to finish this incident," suggesting the Defense Minister should put an end to the public friction.

The Conflict with the Defense Minister

Despite the reportedly good atmosphere in the meeting with the Prime Minister, the crisis between Zamir and Katz is far from resolved.

Zamir, who had initially expected the meeting to include Katz, realized at the last minute that he would meet with the Prime Minister separately. In their conversation, Zamir told Netanyahu that he wished to move past the disagreement but felt he was being treated unfairly by the Defense Minister. A source familiar with the details confirmed that working relations between the two have been reduced to "the essential minimum."

The Chief of Staff emphasized to Netanyahu that his actions are objective and driven by the desire to move the military forward following the failure of October 7. Zamir stated that he had set a deadline of next Sunday to hold critical discussions with senior officers who held key positions on the day of the attack, aiming to advance the IDF. He claimed that the Defense Minister's public announcement against the inquiries and decisions of the Chief of Staff immediately followed this deadline, making him feel that Katz was undermining his authority and credibility within the IDF.