_a.jpg "Photo: Eli Elgart")
IDF officers urge Galant not to retire
After Barak names Major-General Gantz as next deputy chief of staff, officers who served under Sothern Command chief during Gaza op say real race will be for IDF chief position
After Major-General Benny Gantz was named deputy IDF chief of staff, officers who fought under Major-General Yoav Galant's command during the Gaza offensive urged the Southern Command chief, who was also considered for the post, not to retire.
"Galant must not retire from the IDF, because the real race will be for the chief of staff position, and he should be a candidate," said an officer whose battalion fought under Galant's command in Gaza.
Several Southern Command officers, as well as Defense Minister Ehud Barak and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, are expected to relay a similar message to Galant.
Galant has yet to comment on Gantz's appointment, but his associates expressed their disappointment with Barak and Ashkenazi's decision. It is estimated that Galant will announce his plans in the coming days.
"He should disregard the insult and look to the future," said another Southern Command officer.
Gantz, who currently serves as the IDF's military attaché in Washington, was the candidate with the smallest chances of being appointed. While Barak supported Galant, Ashkenazi was in favor of appointing Northern Command Chief Gafi Eisenkot.
The decision to appoint Gantz was a compromise between the two officials. Prior to Gantz's appointment Galant implied that he may retire from the IDF if he is not promoted.
Barak rejected the criticism cast by senior IDF officers regarding the decision-making process, but according to a number of officers, Gantz's appointment may prove problematic for him in the future, as it would be difficult to appoint for the role of chief of staff an officer who was only the third choice for deputy IDF chief.
