Yair Netanyahu Criticizes IDF Chief of Staff, Defense Minister Comes to His Defense
In a recent Facebook post, Yair Netanyahu, the son of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, launched a scathing attack on IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Col. Herzi Halevi. The post, shared on Monday, accused Halevi of being a “failed and destructive” leader in the history of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and the State of Israel.
The message shared by Yair Netanyahu was written by a member of the Likud list, Date palm cedar. The post also claimed that Halevi had been inactive for six months and had failed to address refusals and threats of refusal within the IDF. Netanyahu accused Halevi of surrendering to these individuals and becoming an ambassador to the refuseniks who demand a government surrender.
Responding to this attack, Defense Minister Yoav Galant defended Chief of Staff Lt. Col. Halevi, calling him one of the most outstanding officers he has encountered throughout his career in the IDF. Galant described Halevi as a brave, honest, level-headed, and thorough commander, adding that many citizens owe their lives to him. He also praised Halevi’s leadership during difficult times, stating that Israel has emerged victorious under his guidance.
Yair Netanyahu’s criticism seemed to stem from his belief that the government should not submit to the threats and attempts of a small group of military personnel seeking to subdue an elected government. He argued that the responsibility for any damage to certain units should not rest on the government but on the refusers, threats, instigators, and Halevi himself.
Netanyahu accused Halevi of changing the IDF’s zero-tolerance policy towards refuseniks, shifting the blame from the government onto the Chief of Staff. He argued that the IDF had become the only army in the world that does not deal with rebellious soldiers disciplinarily but instead pardons them to tension-releasing workshops and discussion circles. Netanyahu criticized this strategy, claiming that it clearly was not a winning one.
It remains to be seen how this public feud between Yair Netanyahu and Chief of Staff Lt. Col. Herzi Halevi will play out and if there will be any repercussions within the IDF. The Prime Minister’s Office has yet to comment on the matter.