Too hawkish? Amidror
Photo: Shalom Bar Tal
PM wants Amidror for national security advisor
Prime Minister Netanyahu expected to name former commander of IDF's National Defense College as Uzi Arad's replacment. Political sources express concern over Amidror's hawkish, 'militarist' views
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to appoint Major-General (res.) Yaakov Amidror as the new National Security Advisor. If selected, Amidror will replace Uzi Arad, who announced his retirement on Sunday.
Amidror, the former commander of the IDF's National Defense College, retired from the IDF in 2002 and has been known in recent years for his hawkish views, including his support for the reoccupation of the Gaza Strip.
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The sources noted that Kalifi left the Prime Minister's Office after being forced to stand behind a false statement over Netanyahu's "disappearance", while the latter was secretly visiting Moscow along with Arad.
Amidror is considered an experienced military man, however some elements in the political system view him as a "militarist," and are concerned about his combative nature, especially because following his appointment he will become one of the prime minister's closest advisors on sensitive political and security matters.
Amidror is also considered a hawk on political issues, and is not likely to encourage progress in the negotiations with the Palestinians.
On the situation in the Gaza Strip following the Hamas takeover, Amidror noted that "the Israeli interest is to prevent a situation in which the Hamas is strengthened into an entity similar to Hezbollah.
"There should be willingness to stay in the area for many years. If it is not possible to stay in the area – and the goal is to get in and get out – it is better not to get in at all. The decision makers need to make an extremely difficult decision, because the implication is a difficult war, and an extended stay in the territory," he warned.
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