Kadima to PM: Intervene in 'Galant affair'

MK Itzik calls on Netanyahu to step in on incident rocking army's top brass; says 'personal rivalries, ego games must not harm IDF, which is only entity Israeli society can unite around'

Attila Somfalvi|Published: 08.18.10 , 17:06

Kadima Faction Chairwoman Dalia Itzik on Wednesday called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to intervene in the "Galant document" affair.

Knesset Member Itzik urged Netanyahu to step in to calm the spirits among top military ranks. "The prime minister must summon members of the General Staff forum and clarify that personal rivalries and ego games must not be allowed to harm the IDF, which is the only entity Israeli society can unite around," she said.

Lie Detector

Polygraph rules PR firm owners did not write Galant document

Attila Somfalvi

Ynet learns owners of Arad Communication undergo lie detector test. Results show they apparently did not author Galant document, though police emphasize this does not absolve firm of responsibility as other employees may be behind it

Polygraph rules PR firm owners did not write Galant document

In her appeal to Netanyahu, the chairwoman said that "the document affair revealed the foul nature of relationships in the army's top echelon and the large disconnection between the people who we trust to defend us.

"Therefore," MK Itzik added, "It is the prime minister's duty to intervene and act to repair this intolerable situation."

Earlier on Wednesday, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, MK Tzachi Hanegbi (Kadima), said he would convene an emergency committee meeting on Sunday, in order to discuss the document and tensions in the security establishment.

In an unusual step, MK Hanegbi requested Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin to also attend the meeting and help examine ways in which the Knesset can dissolve tensions between army officials and the security establishment.

Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi released a personal statement on Tuesday, saying, "Regrettably, the media has published half truths and inaccurate information, which is being spread by certain elements. This also includes my testimony as it was given," claimed Ashkenazi.

The chief of staff noted he, along with other IDF commanders were cooperating with the police and promised that the conclusions would clarify his conduct, "I assume that when the investigation is concluded, we will have a say."