The battle between the Chief of Staff and the Treasury: Eyal Zamir warns of "empty coffers"

Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir intensified the struggle over the defense budget this morning (Thursday), warning that the defense establishment is dealing with empty coffers. The IDF claims that about 40 billion shekels promised to the defense establishment have not yet been transferred. The army warns that without a solution by September 10, training, ammunition, and procurement will be affected. In the background, another confrontation with the Treasury is unfolding regarding the retirement terms of the former Military Advocate General.

"The coffers are empty"

"Unfortunately, these days we are also in a campaign over the budget," Zamir said during a multi-front situation assessment. "At a time when the IDF and its service members are stretched on all fronts, we must deal with 'empty coffers.' Such a situation harms the IDF's readiness. We are engaged in protecting the security of the State of Israel — this is the only consideration before our eyes. We will not be dragged into issues that might divert our focus and readiness."

The IDF warns: without the money, training and deals will be affected

The IDF warns that if the budget, which they claim the Prime Minister has already committed to allocating, is not transferred by September 10, the army will be forced to carry out a series of cuts. According to IDF sources, this involves about 40 billion shekels that are currently being delayed by the Ministry of Finance.

The army warns that without the transfer of funds, they may be forced to stop training and courses, further reduce standby squads, and delay the completion of ammunition stocks. The IDF also warns of damage to the procurement of critical systems for the Air Force, Navy, and Ground Forces, and of delays in deals with the United States.

The battle over the retirement terms of the Military Advocate General

The confrontation between the parties is also taking place simultaneously around the retirement terms of the former Military Advocate General. In a letter to the Head of the Manpower Directorate, Major General Dado Bar Khalifa, the Accountant General determined that the agreements reached by the IDF with the former Military Advocate General's counsel regarding retirement rights have no validity because they did not pass the required controls.

In the Chief of Staff's circle, they state that the decision regarding the pension of the former Military Advocate General can only be made after the verdict in her case. Therefore, they argue, the claim that the Chief of Staff has already decided not to harm her retirement terms is distorted.

The letter reveals that 90% of the final settlement has already been transferred as an advance without the knowledge of the IDF accountant. The Accountant General announced that the request for the transfer of the remaining 10% is not approved at this stage, and that no final financial or pension rights should be determined without prior coordination with the Accountant General's Department.

Katz to Zamir: do not make decisions that will make it easier for her

Minister of Defense Israel Katz joined the dispute, demanding that the Chief of Staff not make decisions at this stage that would make it easier for the former Military Advocate General regarding her rights.

"Every possible procedure must be exhausted against the dismissed Military Advocate General, and certainly not to make decisions now that will make it easier for her in the face of the possibility of her future conviction and the exhaustion of justice," Katz said.

According to him, one must act within the powers granted to the Chief of Staff and in accordance with the policy he sets as Minister of Defense. Katz also sharply attacked the conduct of the former Military Advocate General and the pace of the criminal proceedings against her.