Yaakov Amidror, who has been serving as the head of the National Security Council for the past two years, appears to be on his way out, expected to leave his post in the coming months. Reports signal Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is furious over some recent statements made by Amidror, which Mr. Netanyahu perceives as having a left-wing undertone. Officials in the PMO confirm Mr. Amidror is preparing to step down.

It is Amidror who was behind compelling the prime minister to apologize to Turkey over the Marvi Mamara affair towards mending relations between the countries as Amidror was looking ahead at a possible military offensive against Iran. Amidror realizes the value of Turkey as a major ally and felt the apology was reasonable price to pay for mending relations. Amidror has also spoken out against statements promising to resume building in the E1 area.

Interestingly, Amidror, who left military intelligence at the rank of major-general, is known to be a political hawk. It appears that his actions and statements, based on his view of current political realities, have angered the prime minister and as a result, he will be taking leave of his senior post in the near future.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)