State comptroller to look into Galant affair

State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss announced Tuesday that he will launch an official investigation into the Galant affair, following a petition to that effect by Defense Minister Ehud Barak.

The comptroller said that he intends to probe all aspects of the affair. Barak petitioned the comptroller for an investigation into the affair several days ago, but even before his request, the State Comptroller's Office was preparing a discreet investigation into the issue.

Lindenstrauss also noted that he would review the "sum total of the defense establishment's proceedings in connection with the Harpaz document, including the selection of the new chief of staff, with the exception of issues that were, or are under criminal investigation".

Senior IDF officers welcomed Lindenstrauss' decision to launch an official investigation into the Galant affair.

The State Comptroller's Office revealed that IDF officers have already passed various documents to the comptroller for review.

IDF spokesperson said that "as previously announced by the chief of staff and

the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, IDF intends to fully cooperate with any investigation which will be executed by an independent body who has the appropriate investigative tools. The IDF thanks the State Comptroller for his decision to respond to appeals and launch an investigation.

"Furthermore, the IDf offers its full cooperation in order to uphold the reputation of the IDF and its commanders."

Hanan Greenberg contributed to this report

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