_a.jpg "צילום: ירון ברנר")
Barak to try to convince Galant to remain in IDF
Defense minister due to meet with three generals who were up for role of deputy IDF chief of staff in bid to secure Southern Command chief's future in army. According to estimates, Galant will remain in IDF, perhaps even in current position
Defense Minister Ehud Barak is likely to meet Sunday with the three major-generals who were up for the role of deputy chief of Staff: Gantz, Galant and Northern Command Chief Gadi Eisenkot. Barak will attempt to persuade Galant to continue on in the army.
Over the weekend, following the decision to appoint Benny Gantz, IDF officers in various ranks continued to encourage Galant to stay in the army.
After the drama surrounding the appointment, IDF seniors are attempting to quiet things down. IDF officers believe this will be achieved if Galant will announce he will not retire, thus lowering tensions, at least until the race for the next chief of staff position commences in 2011.
Officers who spoke with Galant over the weekend refused to divulge the contents of their conversations, but mentioned that it appeared he would make a decision shortly. They stated he wished to weigh fully the various factors surrounding the appointment process and his status in the army, and only then making his decision.
Defense Minister Barak has a lot riding on his shoulders, in light of his support for Galant for the position of deputy chief of staff. He is expected to make it clear in their meeting that Galant was and still is a candidate for the position of IDF chief of staff and would be well advised to remain in the army.
Who received more phonecalls?
Cautious estimates predict Galant will agree to proceed in the army, possibly in his current position as Southern Command chief, for which he is greatly appreciated.However it is too early to determine the shape of the current situation, in light of the dramatic nature of the recent appointment and Galant's tense relationship with IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi.
IDF officers joked this weekend on the issue of who received more telephone calls, appointed Deputy Gantz, who was congratulated by many, or Galant, who many tried to console by asserting he was one of the candidates for next chief of staff.
Should Galant remain in the army, the next round of appointments will be smaller and the discussions on it will only commence after Galant's future in the army is announced.
