Galant: Needs Weinstein's support (Archives)
Photo: IDF Publicity
Lindenstrauss: Critical of Galant (Archives)
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Galant affair: State comptroller rules out malice
Following investigation into major-general's land dealings, State Comptroller Lindenstrauss asserts that while officer withheld informationt, he didn't do so maliciously
State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss has handed in his report on Major-General Yoav Galant's
land affair
to Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein on Wednesday. In the report, Lindenstrauss criticizes Galant for his dealings in the matter, but does not rule whether he should be appointed as IDF chief of staff.
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Lindenstrauss gave Weinstein a seven-page letter that outlines his positions, and another 25-page document that goes into the details of the land affair, which his office investigated for five weeks. Weinstein expressed his contentment over the speedy inquiry.
The comptroller asserts in his report that there are discrepancies between the testimony that Galant gave in court and evidence that was uncovered later. He also states that while Galant withheld details on the matter, he did not do so maliciously.
Top right: Galant's home in Amikam (Photo: Shaul Golan)
Weinstein to decide Galant's fate
Lindenstrauss was asked to estimate whether Galant illegally seized public lands in his home town, Amikam. Following the hearing that he held for Galant on Sunday, his office has uncovered evidence which has changed the opinion that he has previously drafted on the matter. Senior officials in the State Comptroller's Office stated, however, that no significant points were altered, but rather technical details. In addition to criticism of Galant, Lindenstrauss is expected to put the Israel Land Administration at fault in the case.Weinstein is expected to decide by February 1 whether he will continue to defend Galant's appointment for IDF chief of staff or express support for a recent petition that was filed at the High Court of Justice, which aims to block the appointment. If he decides to continue advocating on Galant's behalf, it is unlikely that the court will intervene in the appointment.
However, if the attorney general decides to turn against Galant, the government will become the deciding force on the affair, which lowers the officer's chances of becoming IDF chief.
The State Prosecutor's Office is expected to confer with Weinstein in the coming days in order to decide what action to take.
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