Wednesday, December 7, 2022

IDF chief said vowing to stop Smotrich interference in appointing army generals

Israel Defense Forces chief of staff Aviv Kohavi vowed to stop far-right Religious Zionism leader Bezalel Smotrich from being able to nominate military generals for two key positions, according to Monday reports.

Smotrich has been seeking influence over West Bank policy in coalition negotiations with Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu, and has secured the right to nominate candidates for positions overseeing much of the territory.

“I won’t allow any interference in the appointment of IDF generals. There is no possibility of this happening,” Kohavi was quoted as saying by Channel 13 news during closed conversations.

The Haaretz daily reported similar comments from Kohavi and said that incoming IDF chief of staff Herzi Halevi agrees with him. Halevi is due to take over as military chief in January. READ MORE