Exclusive: Lieutenant-Colonel (res.) Boaz Harpaz, the man suspected of fabricating the Galant document, told Yedioth Ahronoth Friday that despite police suspicions, and while he did have knowledge of the document, he was not the one that forged it.
The document, made public by Channel 2 news some two weeks ago, suggested GCO Southern Command Major-General Yoav Galant will best achieve his goal of becoming the next IDF chief of staff, by "presenting a negative image" of rival, Major-General Benny Gantz and current IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi.
The scandal has placed the entire military brass under scrutiny, including Ashkenazi himself and Defense Minister Ehud Barak. Nevertheless, the police announced Thursday that both, as well as several other high-ranking military officials, were cleared.
Harpaz is currently staying in the United States. The police have issued a warrant for his arrests, and should he return to Israel, he faces a National Fraud Unit investigation.
Harpaz denied any involvement in the case, telling Yedioth Ahronoth that "I've seen the document, but I didn’t forge it and I didn’t leak it. If I knew how to write a strategic memo like that, I would change professions. They're just looking for a scapegoat."
He also denied having any knowledge of the arrest warrant issued against him.
Harpaz spent his military career in an elite IDF unit and is now a private businessman in the security sector. Considered well-connected in military ranks, he was one of the first persons of interest in the affair to be questioned by the police, who also searched his computers.
Speaking from the US, Harpaz said he has known about the document since April, but denied writing or distributing it. He added that when questioned by the police, he told investigators he was leaving Israel in a business trip, and they voiced no objection.
Harpaz has retained the services of J. Weinroth & Co. and is represented by Attorney Hadas Lis. She said that her client "is currently overseas on a business trip. He was questioned by the police and told them everything he knows – he knew of the document, but had nothing to do with its fabrication."