Statement says Netanyahu satisfied with decision; Turkel Committee approves IDF chief appointment after two days of testimonies.
By JPOST.COM STAFFBennyGantz187(photo credit: IDF Spokesperson)
The Prime Minister's Office on Thursday praised the Turkel Committee for approving the appointment of Maj.-Gen. Benny Gantz as the new IDF chief of General Staff.A PMO statement said that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyhau is satisfied with the decision, and believes that Gantz's appointment will "stabilize" the IDF.RELATED:A-G asked to look into Gantz building violation claimsFamily of fallen soldier considers petition against GantzCourt rejects Galant appeal as PM explains Gantz decision The cabinet is set to ratify the appointment on Sunday.The Turkel Committee, which vets senior government appointments, said Wednesday that Gantz "radiates integrity." The committee's opinion referred to three reservations about the appointment of Gantz: his involvement in the incident in which IDF soldier Medhat Joseph was killed at Joseph's tomb, building without permits at his home in Rosh Ha'ayin, and the claims that he received benefits by changing his residence to the north as the Northern commander.After consideration, the attorney-general found no objections with regards to Gantz's involvement in the death of Joseph, or the claims that he received benefits when moving to the North and ruled that although there were discrepancies concerning the building of his home, they did not impair his capacity for the job.Convening Tuesday and Wednesday, the committee heard testimonies from Defense Minister Ehud Barak, outgoing IDF General Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi and Netanyahu.Yaakov Katz and Gil Hoffman contributed to this report.
