Galant gives up, withdraws High Court appeal

Major-General Yoav Galant withdrew Monday his petition to the High Court of Justice against the government and attorney general over the cancellation of his appointment as IDF chief of staff.

In his retraction Galant said his position on the matter has not changed. "What changed the picture was the well orchestrated media hysteria led by interested parties," he wrote.

He added that the High Court's ruling was unjust, claiming the media reports were partial, superficial, and biased while the land affair that prevented him from being appointed as army chief is no more than "old news."

However, Galant told the court that "due to fundamental and severe flaws made throughout the process regarding the affir I do not wish to prolong the process."

Major-General Galant. Retracted. (Photo: Chaim Hornstein)

Galant was expected to speak before the High Court of Justice on Tuesday after filing a request for an injunction to stop the appointment process until the Turkel Committee reconsiders his candidacy.

However, his request was denied and Galant associates say that his decision to retract the petition came after he realized the chances his candidacy would be reexamined by the Turkel Committee were slim.

The Turkel Committee is expected to convene Tuesday and Wednesday and meet with the prime minister, defense minister, the outgoing IDF chief and Major General Benny Gantz. After making a decision, the government will have to approve the appointment.

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