"Galant document" scandal caused relationships to sour.
By JPOST.COM STAFF, YAAKOV KATZKirya 311(photo credit: Courtesy)
IDF OC Northern Command Maj.-Gen. Gadi Eizenkot rejected Defense Minister Ehud Barak and OC Southern Command Maj.-Gen. Yoav Galant's offer to serve as deputy chief of general staff under the newly appointed chief Galant, Army Radio reported Monday.According to the report, Eizenkot has agreed to remain in his current post until a replacement is found. The IDF Spokesperson declined to comment on the matter.RELATED:Tough. Confident. Connected. Meet Yoav GalantBarak urges Ashkenazi to finish termEizenkot reportedly made his decision in the wake of the "Galant document" scandal, which caused his relationship with newly appointed chief of staff Maj.-Gen. Yoav Galant to sour. Defense Minister Ehud Barak was said to be surprised by the decision, particularly because great efforts were reportedly made to persuade Eizenkot to stay on for the stability of the IDF.Prior to the "Galant Document" scandal, Eizenkot had reportedly suggested that he would be interested in taking on the position.In light of this development, the two natural candidates lined up for the role would be OC Central Command Chief Avi Mizrahi, and Israel's Military Attaché in Washington Gadi Shamni. However, Mizrahi has told close associates in recent days that he would prefer not to take up the deputy position were it to be offered to him, and instead intends to finish carrying out his responsibilities before retiring from the IDF.This would leave Shamni as the leading candidate, and would consequently present Galant with a young and inexperienced general staff. He may have difficulty finding a more experienced deputy, leading to speculation that he could return ousted or retired officers to service, such as Brig.-Gen. Moshe (Chico) Tamir or Brig.-Gen. Imad Faris.
