Disagreement between IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-General Gabi Ashkenazi and Defense Minister Ehud Barak as to the next deputy chief of staff is holding up all senior appointments.

The candidates for the deputy slot include Southern Commander Major-General Yoav Gallant, Northern Commander Gadi Eisenkott and IDF Military Attaché to Washington Benny Gantz. Ashkenazi wants to appoint Eisenkott while Barak favors Gallant, who he fears will otherwise leave the IDF at a time when too many senior commanders have moved on.

The indecision has halted the rotation of district commanders and division commanders, placing all the major-generals and brigadier-generals in a holding pattern.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)