Gantz rejects Erez Weiner's promotion

Chief of Staff decides to nix Colonel Weiner's promotion for Chief Education Officer position following continuance of Harpaz Affair probe

Yoav Zitun |Published: 08.23.12 , 15:21

IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz decided on Thursday that Colonel Erez Weiner will not be promoted to Chief Education Officer.

The IDF's Spokesperson's Unit said that once the State Comptroller's probe on the Harpaz Affair is completed and if there are no other legal obstacles, Weiner will be promoted to a different position.

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"The decision was made by the chief of staff after understanding the IDF's great need for a new chief education officer," the IDF's Spokesperson's Unit said, adding that "The process of choosing the next education officer will proceed as usual."

Attorney Oded Savorai, who represents Colonel Weiner, expressed his disappoint with the decision: "We regret the decision made, especially due to the fact that the final Comptroller's report is expected to be published in the near future. We're sure that when this affair ends, Weiner will be promoted as agreed upon by the General Staff."

"This specific decision was made due to the immediate need to promote a chief education officer in light of the comptroller's continuing investigation," Savorai added.

During the investigation of the Harpaz Affair, State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss recommended launching a criminal probe against former IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, in addition to his former aide Colonel Weiner, for their involvement in collecting material against Defense Minister Ehud Barak.