Government approves Galant appointment
On backdrop of speculations around when his term will end, IDF chief Ashkenazi intimates his intention to stay in position and help his successor 'take post on set date in six months'
The government on Sunday approved Major-General Yoav Galant's appointment as the Israel Defense Forces' 20th chief of staff.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during the cabinet meeting that "Galant has proved himself throughout 32 years of service in the IDF's front line as a courageous fighter, an outstanding officer and a reasonable and responsible commander on the battlefield."
The prime minister thanked and praised Galant's predecessor, Lieutenant-General Gabi Ashkenazi, saying that the next IDF chief "will be continuing a tradition of dedication and excellence left by the current chief of staff, Gabi Ashkenazi."
Earlier Sunday, on the backdrop of reports that he may step down before the end of his term, Ashkenazi announced that he intends to remain in his post and help Galant "enter the position in the best possible way on the set date in another half a year."
However, at the event held in his honor in the city of Or Yehuda, the chief of staff conceded that the current time is "a very unpleasant period."
The chief of staff enjoyed a few moments of rest on Sunday morning as the "Galant document" affair rages on the backdrop of tensions with Defense Minister Ehud Barak, who setup a military commission of inquiry into the matter.
Or Yehuda Mayor David Yosef gave him a show of honor at the municipal community center, where the chief of staff answered questions directed at him by high school students from the city. He was applauded by the crowd.
Above Ashkenazi's head was a banner reading, "Or Yehuda kindly receives the esteemed chief of staff."
When asked about the phenomenon of draft dodging, Ashkenazi responded, "It is true that there has been an increase in the number of religious people who don't serve according to what is known as 'Torah as his trade.' I think that we will ultimately reach a different arrangement for national service. Everyone will arrive at the induction base. Those chosen by the military will go to military service, and those who aren't will go to a different service."
Ashkenazi on his way to meet with the students (Photo: Avi Moalem)
According to the chief of staff, "This is how you create a situation of social justice. There is no reason for someone who served to meet someone who didn't ahead of him in his studies or at work."
Regarding the investigation of the Galant document affair, during which findings recently surfaced indicating a close relationship between Ashkenazi's assistant Col. Erez Weiner and Lt. Col. (res.) Boaz Harpaz, who is suspected of forging the document, the chief of staff said, "I admit that this is a very unpleasant time and am glad that the police ruled that none of the members of the General Staff or their offices had any connection to the matter."
Ashkenazi said of his successor, Maj. Gen. Yoav Galant, "I presume that the cabinet will appoint Maj. Gen. Yoav Galant as the next chief of staff today (Sunday). We all praise him and wish him success. The General Staff and all of us will help him enter the post in the best possible way. In the coming weeks, we will continue to lead the military to being prepared and improving its capabilities."
One of the students asked the chief of staff about the deadlock in talks for the release of Gilad Shalit.
Ashkenazi responded, "The IDF does not abandon its soldiers. We don't leave wounded soldiers in the field. I am the military commander who sent Gilad Shalit and am obligated to bring him back. Until then, we did not complete our mission. We are acting on a number of paths that should not be elaborated on here."
Hanan Greenberg contributed to this report
- Follow Ynetnews on Facebook
