Katz slams Eisenkot call to IDF brass: undemocratic appeal

Defense Minister Israel Katz came out swinging Wednesday morning against a speech delivered the night before by Yashar! party chairman Gadi Eisenkot, after election polls were published. Katz attacked Eisenkot's direct appeal to senior security officials, calling it "an undemocratic and disconnected statement."

In his speech at party headquarters, Eisenkot addressed the heads of the security establishment and civil service directly. The former IDF chief of staff described Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as "a transitional prime minister without mandate or trust," and called on security officials to "stand strong and firm against any attempt to challenge you." He promised them "my clear backing," and added a direct warning to Netanyahu: "Don't you dare use Israel's security for your political needs."

Defense Minister Katz rejected Eisenkot's appeal outright. According to him, the call to senior IDF officials not to obey instructions from the prime minister, the defense minister and the authorized security forums, while promising them backing from Eisenkot, is "an undemocratic and disconnected statement."

He also dismissed claims of rifts between the political and military echelons on Iran, calling them "a false campaign." He clarified that the IDF was a full partner in achievements against Iran, participates in all discussions today, and will carry out any decision required.

The confrontation between Katz and Eisenkot is not new. In the weeks leading up to the election, a public argument unfolded between them over security policy, especially regarding the security zones in Lebanon, the containment versus attack doctrine, and handling the Iranian threat. Katz accused Eisenkot of willingness to withdraw from security zones established to protect the north, while Eisenkot accused the government of failed war management and political use of security.

Netanyahu at victory speech, 2016 elections (Photo: Flash90 Chaim Goldberg)

The remarks came against the backdrop of tight election results that left both political blocs without a clear majority. According to partial figures, the Netanyahu bloc stands at 53 seats, while the opposition bloc is far from a stable majority. Now, against the backdrop of the deadlock in forming a government, the confrontation between Katz and Eisenkot takes on added weight.

Eisenkot is trying to position himself as defender of the state character of the security establishment during a transition period, while Katz sees this as an attempt to undermine the authority of the elected echelon. The remarks add to the high tension prevailing in the political and security establishment immediately after the election, with both blocs far from a stable majority and the battle over the transition government already in full swing.

In recent days, reports were published about a confrontation between Prime Minister Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir over a political directive to carry out an operation that could lead to escalation with Iran. According to the reports, Zamir requested an in-depth discussion before executing the directive, while the Mossad chief, Shin Bet chief and defense minister supported the operation. Katz dismissed these reports and clarified that "there was no intention by Israel to initiate an attack on Iran before the election."