CORRECTS - In row, Israeli army chief shouts at national security minister, ‘Don’t threaten me’: Local media

CORRECTS TYPO IN DEATH TOLL AND PLACE IN 2ND PARA FROM BOTTOM; PLEASE READ 20,000 INSTEAD OF 200,000 AND GAZA STRIP INSTEAD OF WEST BANK

By Abdelraouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) – Israeli media has reported on friction inside the government, with Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi shouting at far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir: "Don’t threaten me."

The incident took place during a weekly Cabinet meeting on Monday, Israeli Channel 12 reported.

During the meeting, “the issue arose of soldiers taking control of a loudspeaker system in a mosque in Jenin a few days ago,” the channel reported on Tuesday.

Five days ago, videos surfaced showing soldiers doing Jewish prayers inside a mosque in Jenin, located in the northern West Bank, drawing international outrage.

Following the incident, the Israeli army announced the removal of two soldiers from active duty, saying disciplinary action is being taken.

Ben-Gvir, however, criticized the decision as "disgraceful."

The channel quoted Ben-Gvir as saying: "How is this possible? You've turned a minor incident into a major one, making headlines that harm the soldiers." Ben-Gvir, a hardliner, was convicted in 2007 of racist incitement against Arabs and backing a group known in Israel as a terrorist organization.

Eliezer Toledano, southern regional commander in the Israeli army, responded: “This is solely our responsibility and authority only.” Ben-Gvir reportedly shot back: “Yes, yes, we've already heard about your authority and responsibility.”

When Ben-Gvir was appointed to the post in November 2022, analysts voiced concerns that his portfolio would mean expanded civilian control over military matters, and specifically under the control of a hardliner.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu then intervened, saying: "Enough, we've got the answer."

But after Netanyahu left the room, the debate flared up again. Ben-Gvir remarked: "Woe to you if they (the soldiers) are dismissed.” Army chief Halevi reportedly then shouted: “Don’t threaten me. I will decide what values guide the Israeli army.”

Ben-Gvir replied, according to the channel: "I’m not threatening you; as a government member, I will criticize this move.”

Then Education Minister Yifat Shasha-Biton told Ben-Gvir: “Stop criticizing them all the time.” He reportedly responded: “I’m permitted to criticize when soldiers are in harm's way; it’s my duty.”

Halevi then reportedly said: “I’m the army commander, and I will determine the ethical and professional standards for the soldiers.”

- Defense minister defends army chief

Following the heated incident, on Tuesday Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on X: “The state of Israel and the Israeli army have gained a brave and ethical chief of General Staff with experience during a difficult and complex war.”

He added: “The Israeli army will continue to act decisively, in accordance with the value compass grounded in Israeli traditions, law, and the spirit of the Israeli army.”

Apparently referring to Ben-Gvir, he continued: “I will continue to support the Israeli army and the chief of General Staff against irresponsible politicians who try to score political points at the expense of leaders who bear the brunt of the war.”

In response, Ben-Gvir posted on X: “Yoav, we also have brave and daring soldiers who sacrifice everything to make unequivocal decisions in war.”

He continued: “If we learned anything from the attack on Oct. 7, it is that passing objective criticism to the high command is allowed, desirable, and necessary, especially when it concerns outstanding soldiers.”

Following the Oct. 7 surprise attack by Hamas, which Israel has responded to by killing nearly 20,000 Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip, Israel’s security apparatus has come under fire for lack of preparation, amid reports that Hamas’ plan was known a year before it happened.

However, Netanyahu’s government, which long boasted of its security bona fides, has borne the brunt of the criticism, as it was reportedly government decisions which led the army to ignore the possibility of a Hamas attack.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala