Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced during Sunday’s cabinet meeting the appointment of two retired IDF generals as coordinators for the North and the South of the country.
Former Ground Forces commander Maj.-Gen. (res.) Yiftach Ron-Tal is set to become coordinator for the South, and former Israel Navy commander Maj.-Gen. (res.) Eliezer ‘Cheney’ Marom is set to become coordinator for the North.
In an interview with Radio 103FM Ron-Tal commented on the situation in the North, stating “A government that will not transfer the war to the enemy’s territory and remove the threat does not deserve to be the government of Israel.”
Speaking with Radio 104.5FM last week Marom shared his opinion regarding the handling of the war. “I have a lot of criticism of the conduct of the war until now. I think things could have been done much faster and differently. I think the security and political leadership should be replaced as quickly as possible.”
Referring to IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi, Marom added, “The chief of staff said that he bears the responsibility and everyone is waiting for the moment when he will return the keys and vacate the place. In the meantime, he is running the war, he is doing it alone, there is almost no one around him, he bears the responsibility alone and the results speak for themselves.”
'Time for extensive campaign in North'
In response to the appointments, the Fighting for the North headquarters issued a statement on Sunday congratulating Marom and affirming that a broad understanding of the “full picture” in the North was needed.
“In the coming days we will contact him and convey the message of the hundreds of families: It is time for an extensive campaign in the North, which will only end in a security strip in Lebanon, and absolute Israeli control,” the statement continued.
The headquarters also stated, “It’s been close to nine months that we are not at home, and we will say no to a surrender agreement, no momentary peace, and yes only to a long-term victory.
“Even now it is important to remember – if security does not return to the North, the residents will not return either.
It is time to work on the restoration of the North and the destruction of Lebanon,” the statement concluded.
The Bithonistim group also congratulated the two appointees, members of the group. “These are the important appointments that will greatly affect the security of the future of the State of Israel. The security movement congratulates the senior officials on the important appointments,” head of the group, Brig.-Gen. (res.) Amir Avivi, stated.
The appointment of a northern coordinator came after reports last week that Netanyahu’s previous choice for the job, current Diaspora Affairs Ministry Director-General Avi Cohen-Scaly, was struck down after two Likud politicians, former MK Osnat Mark and current MK Keti Shitrit, intervened in an attempt to receive the job for themselves or someone close to them. Shitrit denied the report last week, but Mark and the Prime Minister’s Office did not answer queries. Mark on Sunday finally addressed the issue, and said that while she would be happy to receive the job, she had not acted against Cohen Scaly.
The PMO did not answer repeated queries on the issue.
The report led Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer and Negev and Galilee Minister Yizhak Wasserlauf, to publicly voice criticism, with Wasserlauf even threatening to vote against an appointment that was politically motivated.
According to a spokesperson for Wasserlauf, Netanyahu berated Wasserlauf for the criticism. Wasserlauf responded that while he had “much to say” to the prime minister, he would do so in a personal meeting.