During a meeting with Defense Minister Israel Katz this morning, right-wing activists presented a list of demands and grievances, including replacing the head of Central Command with a 'hilltop youth' activist, deploying D9 bulldozers against the High Court, and accusing the Chief of Staff of operating from 'hatred of religion' and the Air Force of consciously abandoning civilians on October 7, according to the activists. The activists also called for an investigation of the head of COGAT for alleged bribery and treason.
The activists' meeting with Defense Minister Katz comes amid a broader controversy over the IDF's Central Command. As The Zioneer reported on June 9, Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth publicly backed the Samaria Brigade commander following a right-wing campaign against him. The activists' demand to replace the Central Command chief with a 'hilltop youth' reflects their criticism of the current command's handling of security operations and judicial oversight.
The activists, including Avichai Gadot (head of the Torat Lechima organization), Eliyahu Yosian, and Yigal Malka, also leveled serious accusations at senior IDF officers. They alleged that Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir operates from 'hatred of religion' and that the Air Force knowingly abandoned civilians on October 7. Additionally, they called for a Shin Bet investigation into the head of COGAT on suspicion of bribery and treason.
Defense Minister Katz's response to the demands and allegations has not been reported. The meeting took place against the backdrop of ongoing debates within Israel's security establishment over command appointments and the conduct of the war in Gaza.
2 developments
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- DevelopingIDF chief's meeting with rabbis draws criticism from right-wing channels
- StrongInciting chants against IDF chief of staff at anti-desertion arrest protest; Katz condemns
- DevelopingFormer IDF chief Eisenkot slams political leadership, demands answers on Iran and war goals
Source and signal
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- Internal intake