Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir appears to be the only senior security official opposing an immediate resumption of military operations against Iran, according to Israel’s Channel 12. The broadcaster reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior officials he appointed to key posts are pressing for the conflict with Tehran to restart without delay. It is the latest sign of a dispute between Mr Netanyahu and his military chief that first came into public view before Israel’s 27 October election.
Zamir sees the threat as real but not urgent
According to the Channel 12 report, Lt Gen Zamir believes the threats posed by Iran are genuine. He does not, however, consider them urgent enough to justify an immediate military strike.
The report adds that the army chief is concerned a military operation at this stage could be exploited for political purposes, as a new Israeli government has not yet been formed.
Senior officials backing a harder line
Channel 12 says Lt Gen Zamir stands against a group of senior security officials who favour a tougher stance towards Tehran. They are reported to include:
- Mossad Director Roman Gofman
- Shin Bet Director David Zini
- National Security Council Chairman Shmuel Ben Ezra
- Israel’s Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter
Each of them was personally selected by Mr Netanyahu. The Times of Israel, reporting on the Channel 12 story, notes that the prime minister’s critics accuse him of making appointments on the basis of demonstrated loyalty to himself and his family, rather than on national security criteria alone.
Channel 12 described the disagreement as one of the most significant internal debates currently under way within Israel’s national security establishment, as tensions between Israel and Iran continue.
A dispute that began before the election
This is not the first report of the dispute. On 25 October, two days before Israelis went to the polls, Channel 12 reported an “unprecedented confrontation” between Mr Netanyahu and Lt Gen Zamir over an unspecified military action that defence officials feared could provoke a confrontation with Iran.
According to that report, the army chief resisted carrying out the instruction. He asked for further deliberations and for signed documentation from the prime minister confirming its legal authorisation.
A day later, Channels 12 and 13 reported that Lt Gen Zamir was the only senior security chief to oppose the action sought by Mr Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz. Channel 12 cited sources as saying Lt Gen Zamir had warned that Tehran could misinterpret the moves and launch a pre-emptive attack.
The New York Times, citing senior defence officials, reported at the time that Mr Netanyahu had sought a strike on Iran before the election but met opposition from Lt Gen Zamir. According to the newspaper, the army chief was concerned that a smaller-scale operation could lead to a miscalculation prompting Iran to attack Israel during the election period.
The broadcasters also reported that Mr Netanyahu was likely to dismiss Lt Gen Zamir if he formed the next government. The prime minister denied this, and Mr Katz insisted Israel had no intention of striking Iran before the vote.
Renewed warning this week
On 10 November, Channel 12 reported that Lt Gen Zamir had renewed his opposition to the unspecified actions Mr Netanyahu wants to take against Iran. According to the report, he considers them unwise at present, given the political uncertainty in Israel and the White House’s diminishing appetite for war with Iran.
Official responses
The IDF did not comment on the 10 November report. The Prime Minister’s Office described it as “biased fake news”and said it does not comment on closed security deliberations. Mr Netanyahu has previously said there was no confrontation with the army chief.
The US position
US President Donald Trump said earlier this week that a new offensive was “highly unlikely” if talks on Iran’s nuclear programme and the Strait of Hormuz make progress, according to The Times of Israel. He also described the war as “effectively over” while maintaining that Iran remains a threat.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said a US attack on Iran remains an option. He added that Arab leaders are urging Mr Trump to pursue a diplomatic solution.
Separately, The Times of Israel reported on Friday that Mossad Director Roman Gofman was in Washington for talks with senior Trump administration officials on Iran.
With information from Channel 12, The Times of Israel, The New York Times and The Jerusalem Post
