Israeli army chief barred from defense minister’s office before military appointments meeting

Eyal Zamir arrived for pre-arranged meeting, but was told Defense Minister Israel Katz was busy, public broadcaster says

By Fekry Abdeen and Rania Abu Shamala

ISTANBUL (AA) – Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir was barred on Monday night from entering Defense Minister Israel Katz’s office, despite a scheduled meeting between them, local media said on Tuesday.

Public broadcaster KAN, citing military sources, said Zamir arrived for a pre-arranged meeting, but was told Katz was busy.

The minister’s office claimed the chief of staff’s office had been informed that Katz would not attend, yet Zamir still showed up.

Zamir on Monday night held discussions on major general-level appointments in the army, but Katz’s office announced its refusal to approve them. Nevertheless, the army later published the list of the new appointments.

Tension has escalated between Zamir and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the latter’s plan to fully reoccupy the Gaza Strip.

Kaynak: