Minister Eitan: Galant acted like mobster
After cabinet approves major-general's appointment as next IDF chief, only minister to vote nay says Galant's conduct during land dispute 'raises questions as to how he will perform in future'
Michael Eitan (Likud), the only minister to vote against the appointment of Yoav Galant as the next Israel Defense Forces chief of staff, said Sunday that the major general "acted like a member of the mafia over a long period of time and ignored the law."
The minister was referring to past allegations made by a neighbor according to which Galant built a driveway at his home in Moshav Amikam on land belonging to the Israel Land Administration. A court threw out the case, and even reprimanded the neighbor for waging a battle against him in the press.
'No equality.' Galant's home in Amikam (Photo: Ido Erez)
Following Sunday's cabinet vote, Eitan said a report drafted by the deputy attorney general indicated that Galant had committed offenses, adding, "His conduct raises questions as to how he will perform in the future," said the minister.
"The affair shows that there is no real equality before the law. For Israel's sake, I hope he won’t have any similar mishaps in the future," Eitan added.
After approving Galant's appointment, the cabinet also decided to truncate the IDF chief of staff's term to three years with an option for a one-year extension, which is usually granted.
Outgoing IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi was the first army chief to be appointed in advance to a four-year term, but Defense Minister Ehud Barak decided not to extend his term by another year.
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