Comptroller: Galant seized public land
Lindenstrauss says IDF chief designate withheld information, seized public land and requested permits after fact, but sources close to Galant say he rejects findings
The letter outlining Lindenstrauss's opinion into the land affair involving Galant was published Thursday and was handed over to the Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein who will have to decide whether to defend Galant's appointment to Chief of staff in the High Court.
"Since the respondents are law abiding citizens they appealed to the planning authorities before carrying out the building extension on the residence in order to receive the necessary permits, and presented a legal request for a construction permit."
The Comptroller stated: "The documents we have state that General Galant requested the construction permits including the extensions he added during the construction, after the construction was completed, in order to authorize the construction after the fact."
Sources close to Galant responded to the comptroller's report by saying that the chief of staff designate is continuing to prepare for his instatement, and that he rejects the allegations that he lied about the affair.
The sources said Galant's attorneys plan to hand the comptroller explanations regarding the discrepancies he found. "He is continuing to prepare for his position," one source said.
In a letter from February 2003, written and signed by Yoav Galant and addressed to the agricultural department of the Israel Land Administration in Haifa, he asked to plant olive trees on a patch of land on his grounds, which he received in 2001 for seasonal cultivation. The letter notes that "the aforementioned land has been worked for the past few years." The Comptroller stated that in fact, the land wasn't being worked by Galant.
The Comptroller wrote that there is no question that Galant seized lands that were not his own. "Galant's version is that the mistake, which he admits to and apologized over, was actually his contractors' mistake, he had executed the planting on the land he received (8.649 acres) and continued planting an additional 6.9 acres by mistake. The blunder, which he claims was a bona fide error, is blamed on the planting, and claims he had no involvement in the issue."
The Comptroller also criticized the authorities involved in the affair. "Our findings show that there is a possibility that the various authorities acted with leniency in Galant's case, possibly because of his senior position."
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.
Attorney General deciding factor
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 case will then have to be turned over to the Turkel appointments' committee.
Ashkenazi to continue?
IDF officials expressed concern over the report, as it could mean that the army will remain without leadership on February 14, the day current chief Gabi Ashkenazi is scheduled to end his term.
If Weinstein decides against defending Galant's appointment before the court, the defense minister may have to choose a new chief of staff, as the deputy cannot take on the position for any extended period of time. Barak will therefore have to make a choice soon, possibly even Thursday night.
Another option would be to extend Ashkenazi's term by another year, but sources say this is unlikely. Instead, he may be asked to remain for a few additional months in order to properly train his new replacement, a process that could take some time.
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