‘Don’t threaten me,’ Israeli army chief shouts at national security minister in cabinet meeting

Tel Aviv (AA) – Israel’s Chief of General Staff and National Security Minister shouted at each other during a cabinet meeting, Channel 12 reported.

Herzi Halevi shouted at Itamar Ben-Gvir, “Don’t threaten me,” during a weekly cabinet meeting on Monday when “the issue arose of soldiers taking control of a loudspeaker system in a mosque in Jenin a few days ago,” the channel reported.

Five days ago, videos surfaced showing soldiers doing Jewish prayers inside a mosque in Jenin, located in the northern West Bank, drawing international outrage.

Following the incident, the Israeli army announced the removal of two soldiers from active duty, saying disciplinary action was being taken.

Ben-Gvir, however, criticized the decision as “disgraceful.”

The channel quoted Ben-Gvir as saying: “How is this possible? You’ve turned a minor incident into a major one, making headlines that harm the soldiers.”

Ben-Gvir, a hardliner, was convicted in 2007 of racist incitement against Arabs and backing a group known in Israel as a terrorist organization.

Eliezer Toledano, southern regional commander in the Israeli army, responded: “This is solely our responsibility and authority only.” Ben-Gvir reportedly shot back: “Yes, yes, we’ve already heard about your authority and responsibility.”

When Ben-Gvir was appointed to the post in November 2022, analysts voiced concerns that his portfolio would mean a grossly hard-line approach over all matters.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intervened, saying: “Enough, we’ve got the answer.”

But after Netanyahu left the room, the debate flared up again. Ben-Gvir remarked: “Woe to you if they (the soldiers) are dismissed.” Army chief Halevi reportedly then shouted: “Don’t threaten me. I will decide what values guide the Israeli army.”

Ben-Gvir replied, according to the channel: “I’m not threatening you; as a government member, I will criticize this move.”

Then Education Minister Yifat Shasha-Biton told Ben-Gvir: “Stop criticizing them all the time.” He reportedly responded: “I’m permitted to criticize when soldiers are in harm’s way; it’s my duty.”

Halevi then reportedly said: “I’m the army commander, and I will determine the ethical and professional standards for the soldiers.”

– Defense minister defends army chief –

Following the heated incident, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on X: “The state of Israel and the Israeli army have gained a brave and ethical chief of General Staff with experience during a difficult and complex war.”

He added: “The Israeli army will continue to act decisively, in accordance with the value compass grounded in Israeli traditions, law, and the spirit of the Israeli army.”

Apparently referring to Ben-Gvir, he continued: “I will continue to support the Israeli army and the chief of General Staff against irresponsible politicians who try to score political points at the expense of leaders who bear the brunt of the war.”

In response, Ben-Gvir posted on X: “Yoav, we also have brave and daring soldiers who sacrifice everything to make unequivocal decisions in war.”

He continued: “If we learned anything from the attack on October 7, it is that passing objective criticism to the high command is allowed, desirable, and necessary, especially when it concerns outstanding soldiers.”

Following the events of October 7, which Israel has responded to by killing nearly 20,000 Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip, Israel’s security apparatus has come under fire for lack of preparation, amid reports that Hamas’ plan was known a year before it happened.

However, Netanyahu’s government, which long boasted of its security bona fides, has borne the brunt of the criticism, as it was reportedly government decisions which led the army to ignore the possibility of a Hamas attack.