Gantz. 'Only the most suitable people were appointed'
Photo: Gadi Sierra
Gantz rejects criticism on military appointments
IDF chief rejects claims suggesting he favored retired officers over active-duty servicemen in latest round of nominations
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz
defended on Sunday the latest round of General Staff appointments,
whose nature sparked claimes suggesting he has little confidence in active-duty officers. "The appointments are legitimate," he said. "All the surrounding noise is meant to generate undue gossip."
Speaking at a ceremony in the Glilot Base, he said: "This morning's headlines are absolutely baseless. Military appointments are based on transparent strategic considerations. We choose only the most suitable people."
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Gantz was responding to a Yedioth Ahronoth report suggesting that the latest round of nominations had ruffled more than a few feather in the General Staff, sparking harsh criticism against Gantz and Defense Minister Ehud Barak.
Both have been accused of opting to reinstate reserve officers at the expense of senior active-duty officers.
"Barak is running the army and has now appointed Maj.-Gen Shai Avital 10 years after he left the IDF to pursue a political career," senior IDF officials charged.
Last Thursday, Avital was appointed commander of the Depth Corps. He is the fourth major-general to return to the IDF after retiring from his military career.
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