Knesset's Defense Committee summons PM over terror probe ambiguity

In an unusual move, Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee issues official summons for Benjamin Netanyahu after he apparently instructs top defense officials to remain mum on Eilat terror attacks probe

Moran Azulay|Published: 09.08.11 , 21:58

Is pertinent information regarding the series of terror attacks which took place near Eilat in mid august being kept form the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee?

Committee Chairman MK Shaul Mofaz (Kadima) sent an official summons to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, asking him to appear before the committee during its next meeting, scheduled for Sunday.

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The Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee (FADC) meetings of the past few weeks have been marred by canceled appearance by top defense officials, who were supposed to brief its members on the inquiry into the deadly attacks, which claimed the lives of eight Israelis and left dozens injured.

Among the officials who mysteriously cancelled their appearance before the FADC were Director of Military Intelligence Maj.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi, Shin Bet officers and even the Israel Security Agency's chief, Yoram Cohen.

The repeated episodes have sparked harsh criticism by FADC members who claim that Netanyahu is trying to "keep them out of the loop" for some cryptic reason.

Seeing that Cohen had cancelled his appearance before the committee on Sunday, Mofaz has officially requested that the prime minister step in to fill the void.

"The Knesset's Subcommittee for Intelligence and Secret Services will convene on Sunday to hear a briefing… pertaining to the terror attack which took place near the Israel-Egypt border. The committee has been informed that per your instructions, the Shin Bet chief would be unable to brief us on this matter," Mofaz' letter read.

"According to the Knesset Code, the Knesset, as well as any of its committees, has the right to demand the government supply it with any information it finds necessary for its operations... As the Shin Bet chief's superior, you may take his place before the committee. You are hereby invited to appear before the committee."

As tensions between Mofaz and Netanyahu are running high, Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin has called both to a meeting with him and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, to try and resolve the issue and possibly redefine the process of the committee's work.

The Prime Minister's Office said that "the results of the defense establishment's inquiry into the Eilat terror attacks will be presented to the subcommittee once they are completed and after they are presented to the government.

"We are currently in the midst of the investigation… of an event which has yet to conclude and might see another terror attack. The defense establishment must be allowed to focus on neutralizing the threat."