The public spat comes after Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir reportedly voiced strong opposition in cabinet to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s plan to occupy Gaza
August 12, 2025 13:30
A fresh row has opened up between the military and political establishments in Israel over the promotion of new IDF officers.
IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir held a meeting on a raft of new appointments last night, much to the chagrin of Defence Minister Israel Katz.
In a statement, Katz claimed the meeting took place "contrary to the defence minister’s directive and without prior coordination and agreement, in violation of established procedure".
He added that he has "no intention of discussing or approving any of the appointments" until such procedure is followed.
The list of appointments, which was leaked to Israeli media, includes 14 promotions to brigadier general, four to colonel, and 10 officers moving to new roles within their existing rank.
Hitting back, a military spokesperson insisted the meeting had been "scheduled in advance" according to protocol, adding: "The chief of staff is the sole authority under regulations for appointing commanders at the rank of colonel and above in the IDF."
And an unnamed IDF source told Ynet that Katz' rejection of the list amounted to "blackmail" and that the defence minister was treating Zamir "as if he were ranked corporal".
Katz has since said he will "weigh" approving the list, claiming that some of the appointees "haven’t served the accepted timeframe for their roles" to earn promotion.
He also said he would be considering whether to allow the promotion of soldiers who were active commanders during the October 7 response or linked to "other irregular incidents in the past".
"The military echelon is subordinate to the defense minister and will act in accordance with his orders and the policy he will set," he added.
It is the latest public spat between military and political leadership, with Zamir reported to be one of the key voices of opposition within the Security Cabinet when discussing Prime Minister Netanyahu's reported pitch to fully occupy Gaza.
Zamir is understood to have claimed that Israeli forces are already severely fatigued by nearly two years of near-constant war and expressed concern for the safety of the remaining hostages.
He was reportedly backed by National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi and Mossad Director David Barnea, as well as Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.
Ultimately, the cabinet did not go as far as full occupation, instead approving a plan to seize Gaza City by an “overwhelming majority”, per the Prime Minister’s Office.
Meanwhile, Zamir and Netanyahu were reported last week to have personally clashed over the prime minister’s son accusing Zamir of leading a “coup” against the government in relation to the reports of his resistance to the occupation plan.
According to Israel’s public broadcaster Kan, Zamir asked the prime minister: “How does that look? Why are you attacking me? Why are you speaking against me in the middle of a war?”
Netanyahu is said to have responded: “Don’t threaten to quit in the media. I can’t accept that every time you threaten that if we don’t accept your plans, you’ll leave.
"My son is 33, he’s a grown man.”