Livni slams PM over IDF nominations

Opposition leader blasts Netanyahu over his reported disagreements with IDF Chief Gantz over next IAF commander. 'You have no business interfering in such things,' she tells him

Moran Azulay |Published: 01.23.12 , 16:52

Opposition Chairwoman Tzipi Livni (Kadima) leveled harsh criticism at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Monday, over his reported disagreement with IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen Benny Gantz regarding the nomination of the next Air Force commander.

Netanyahu and Gantz are reportedly at odds over the nomination, considered one of the military's top positions. Netanyahu is pushing for the nomination of his military aide, Yochanan Locker, to the post; while Gantz prefers to name Planning Branch Chief Amir Eshel to the post.

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"When I heard that the prime minister is trying to weigh in on nomination in the military, someone has to make it clear - you have no business interfering in IDF nominations," Livni said during a Knesset nonconfidence session held Monday.

The session was called following a motion of nonconfidence presented by Kadima over the Tal Law, which aims to regulate the IDF service exemption given to yeshiva students.

Kadima claims that by supporting the extension, "Netanyahu's government is encouraging a draft dodge and infringing on the need for the equal distribution of obligation."

Labor and Meretz also presented nonconfidence motions, titled "Netanyahu's government's political, social and economical failures"; while the three Arab parties – Balad, Hadash and United Arab List-Ta'al – presented a joint nonconfidence motion over the Justice Ministry's decision to pardon an officer who killed an Arab citizen during 2000's October Riots.

The Knesset will also bid farewell to MK Eli Aflalo (Kadima), who resigned his seat in favor of a co-chairman post in the Jewish National Fund. Kadima has named Avi Duan his replacement as Knesset member.