As spat between IDF chief Zamir and DM Katz deepens, Netanyahu summons the two for a meeting

Defense Minister Israel Katz has locked horns with IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir several times since Zamir’s appointment as the replacement for former Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi earlier this year.

Recently, the dispute between them has become increasingly public, as Katz announced on Monday that he had ordered the defense establishment comptroller to re-evaluate the results of the IDF’s investigations into the events of the Oct. 7 massacres and said that he was freezing all senior appointments for now.

Katz’s announcement came just days after Zamir announced the dismissal of several senior officers and the censure of several others, due to their roles in the events of Oct. 7, and based on the findings of the IDF report. 

That panel headed by Maj.-Gen. (res.) Sami Turgeman, a former head of the Southern Command, was charged with evaluating the previous IDF investigations of the army's performance during the events of Oct. 7, while also giving recommendations for further investigations or probes.

Based on the findings of the Turgeman report, Zamir had said that he would make “personal decisions,” including potential dismissals of senior officers. 

Defense Minister Katz’s announcement of a reevaluation of the Turgeman report, is seen by many as an escalation of the growing struggle between Katz and Zamir over the issue of senior-level appointments.

Since taking over the Defense Ministry, Katz has attempted to wield greater control over promotions and appointments, with some Israeli media accusing him of pursuing advancements and promotions based on political considerations. 

On Tuesday, associates of Katz appeared to continue the conflict, telling Israeli media that "There is no doubt that upon completion of the investigations, there will be no escape from taking steps against additional senior IDF officials and intensifying the measures against other senior officials."

"The Chief of Staff acted in accordance with his authority, but based on partial and incomplete information. The Defense Minister insisted on exhausting and publishing the investigations during the previous Chief of Staff's term – which led to major changes in the IDF – and so it will be now."

"The Minister of Defense will insist that all material on the events of October 7 be fully investigated, in accordance with the recommendations of the Maj.-Gen. (res.) Sami Turgeman Committee, and will be disclosed to the public and the bereaved families, and the necessary conclusions will be drawn, and no cover-up will be allowed. The Minister of Defense, together with the Prime Minister and the IDF, will continue to act as one fist and with force in all arenas, as has been done so far.” 

On Monday, following Katz’s announcement, Lt.-Gen. Zamir released a statement in both Hebrew and English, in which he pushed back against Katz’s reasons for conducting a reevaluation and for freezing senior appointments, saying this “harms the IDF’s capabilities and its readiness for the upcoming challenges.” 

Zamir called Katz’s decision to cast doubt on the Turgeman report “puzzling,” given the time and effort invested in the report, and the fact that the report was submitted to Minister Katz. 

Zamir also noted that the IDF “is the only body in the country that has thoroughly investigated its own failures and taken responsibility for them.”

He suggested that any further investigation would need to be a broader “external, objective and independent commission, outside the IDF, that will examine the inter-organizational and multi-level processes that preceded the failure of October 7th, including the interface between the military echelon and the political echelon.” 

Monday night, reports in Hebrew media said that after the debate between the two became public, Katz and Zamir were summoned for an urgent clarification meeting in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.