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Defense Minister Amir Peretz (archive photo)
Photo: Peleg Havatzelet

Peretz consults former IDF chief on new appointment

Defense minister meets with Dan Shomron to discuss his recommendations for army’s 19th chief of staff; PM Olmert holding consultations of his own with Mofaz, Barak and Dichter

Defense Minister Amir Peretz met with former IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General (res.) Dan Shomron Thursday to discuss his recommendations for the IDF’s 19th Chief of Staff.

 

Shomron, who was in charge of examining the General Staff’s functioning during the war, told Ynet Wednesday that IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz’s resignation might lead to a delay in the implementation of the lessons drawn from the war.

 

On Wednesday Peretz held meetings with four candidates: Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Moshe Kaplinsky, the Commander of the Armored Corps Maj. Gen. Benny Gantz, Defense Ministry Director-General Maj. Gen. (retired) Gabi Ashkenazi, and Ilan Biran, former Defense Minister Director-General.

 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is also holding consultations on the matter, and is expected to meet with Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz, also a former IDF chief, and with former head of the Shin Bet and current Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter.

 

'Right man in the right place'

Olmert is also set to consult with former Prime Minister and army chief Ehud Barak.

 

The two leading candidates for the coveted position are Kaplinsky and Ashkenazi.

 

Kaplinsky is popular in the army for his extensive experience and his friendliness. He is familiar with the deficiencies and failures of the war with Hizbullah last summer. But despite all this, his appointment could draw criticism from outside the army.

 

Gabi Ashkenazi’s appointment is also expected to be popular among IDF officers and soldiers. Halutz was favored by then Prime Minister Ariel Sharon over Ashkenazi before his appointment as Defense Ministry Director-General one and a half years ago.

 

Many believe that his vast experience will set the IDF on the right track. The fact the he wasn't directly involved in military decision-making during the war could play in his favor, but few forgot that he was Northern Command Chief when Hizbullah kidnapped three soldiers in a cross-border attack in 2000.

 

Although described as an associate of Peretz, officers says Ashkenazi is "the right man, in the right place, at the right time." 

 


פרסום ראשון: 01.18.07, 11:12
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