Galant to remain GOC Southern Command; southern councils relieved
Head of IDF Southern Command puts rumors surrounding his future in the military to rest, says will remain in office despite decision to name Maj.-Gen. Benny Gantz deputy chief of staff; 'decision contributes greatly to our security,' Eshkol Regional Council head says
GOC Southern Command Major-General Yoav Galant informed IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Gabi Ashkenazi of his decision to continue on as head of the Southern Command.
Galant's position on the matter was unclear following the recent nomination of Maj.-Gen. Benny Gantz to the new deputy chief of staff. Galant, who was short-listed for the position, was reportedly offended by the decision – enough to consider retiring from the armed forces.
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Nevertheless, senior officers in the Southern Command pleaded with him not to cut his tenure short.
Lt.-Gen. Ashkenazi reportedly welcomed the decision, which also leaves Galant in the running for the position of army chief in 2011.
Gantz's nomination was criticized by several top military officials. The decision, one of them told Ynet, means "that the process of finding Ashkenazi's successor is unhealthy. The way in which this nomination has taken place is strident and uncharacteristic of such an important decision."
Heads of local councils in south Israel were relieved to hear of Galant's decision, with many of them attributing the success of Operation Cast Lead in Gaza to his leadership.
"The success of (the offensive in Gaza) was the result of intensive efforts on the part of Galant and (then-Gaza Brigade commander) Moshe "Chico" Tamir, who prepared all of the Israeli communities surrounding Gaza for the offensive in a relatively short period of time," said Eshkol Regional Council head Haim Yalin.
"Galant's decision to stay on as Southern Command chief will contribute greatly to our security. Now it is peaceful, but tomorrow this entire area could erupt in a second," he said.
Ramat Negev Regional Council head Shmulik Rifman said Galant's experience was crucial. "He knows every corner here and is aware of the goings on in Gaza," said the council head.
