Chief of Staff in sharp attack on the government: "The law is fundamentally flawed" | First publication

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has harshly criticized the government for promoting legislation to prevent the arrest of deserters. This criticism follows his repeated warnings to the political echelon against such a move.

"No one listened, this law is fundamentally flawed," Zamir said before the IDF generals at the General Staff forum.

Zamir instructed his staff to monitor developments on the issue, and some interpreted his words as a directive to ensure that the police assist the Military Police in all matters related to the arrest of deserters.

Eyal Zamir's position regarding the law, which freezes arrests and was approved in the second and third readings in the Knesset, is well-known. Zamir previously sent a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, stating that the IDF would not sign off on mass exemptions.

However, even after the law was approved, Zamir continues to voice harsh criticism of the legislation and the government's decision to promote it despite his warnings. Zamir voiced this criticism two and a half weeks ago at the General Staff forum.

As reported by News 12, Zamir stated:

"We presented our position on the matter many times in the various committees, but no one listened. This law is fundamentally flawed, the Supreme Court has already frozen its entry into force, and I am not sure it will pass judicial review. I am instructing to monitor the various developments on this issue."

In other words, even though the Supreme Court has halted the law, the Chief of Staff is speaking out against Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel Katz, and the coalition, who have chosen to continue its promotion.