Commander of IDF headquarters base steps down amid corruption probe

The Military Police this week launched a corruption investigation into the commander of the IDF’s Tel Aviv headquarters, prompting him to step down from his position immediately, the army said Thursday.

Col. Yigal Ben Ami has served as the commander of the army’s headquarters, known as the Kirya, in central Tel Aviv for the past three and a half years.

The Walla news site reported that Ben Ami maintained inappropriate financial connections with people outside the military and that his suspected crimes were likely connected to construction projects on the army base.

Military investigators also reportedly believed that Ben Ami took advantage of his position as commander of the military’s headquarters by making use of the luxury cars provided to IDF generals, both for himself and for members of his family.

On Wednesday, the military announced on a jobs website that a replacement for Ben-Ami was needed immediately, but would not initially say why the officer had stepped down.

The Israel Defense Forces later confirmed that the colonel was under investigation for “breach of trust and violating military orders.” The military would not elaborate on the nature of his suspected crimes.

“The investigation is underway, and at this point no additional details can be provided,” the military says in a statement.

“The officer was put on leave and asked to move up his retirement from the IDF. His request was accepted,” the army said.