Eisenkot: Lapid is right — cut coalition funds to address army gaps

A Warning Ignored

Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot intensified his ongoing critique of the current government's security management on Monday. According to reports by Amit Segal (N12), Eisenkot asserted that the military has been sounding the alarm for years regarding critical gaps in ammunition and armament. He characterized the government's response as one of "absolute negligence," accusing an "irresponsible political echelon" of failing to act on these professional warnings.

Backing the Opposition

In a notable alignment with opposition leader Yair Lapid, Eisenkot stated that the solution to the military's budgetary and logistical crisis lies in the immediate reallocation of political funds. "Lapid is right," Eisenkot remarked, suggesting that if the Netanyahu government were truly interested in a solution, it would "close the tap" on coalition funds—monies typically earmarked for sectoral interests and political allies—and transfer those resources to the IDF.

Context of Criticism

This latest statement follows a series of sharp rebukes from the former military chief. As The Zioneer reported earlier, Eisenkot has previously accused the government of a "breach of trust" for blocking efforts to strengthen the IDF during wartime and has labeled the current leadership "unfit" to lead in the wake of the October 7 disaster. His rhetoric reflects a deepening divide between former security officials and the political leadership over the prioritization of national resilience versus coalition stability.

Strategic Outlook

Eisenkot's remarks highlight the mounting pressure on the treasury to address the "equal burden" of service and the material needs of the army. By framing the issue as a choice between "associates and draft-dodgers" and the needs of the IDF, Eisenkot is signaling that the opposition will continue to target the government's budgetary priorities as a primary point of strategic failure. The Zioneer will continue to follow official responses to these allegations.