From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Far-right minister calls for reevaluating IDF chief if he proves to be ‘weak on Gaza’
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleSam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
Heritage Minister Amichay Eliyahu calls for a reevaluation of IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir’s tenure, following reported clashes between Zamir and members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet earlier this week.
Speaking with national broadcaster Kan, the far-right minister says that if Zamir does not know how to lead Israel to victory in Gaza he should step aside, comparing him to “generals in World War II who wanted to sign a peace treaty with Hitler and weakened the people’s belief in victory.”
It is unclear who Eliyahu was referring to. Though there were politicians in Western nations who sought peace with the Nazis, there is no well-known case of generals in Allied countries who did so.
“The chief of staff is wrong and misleading [the cabinet]. If he is brave against Iran and the Houthis but weak against Gaza, we need to reconsider his future,” Eliyahu says.
He also expressed support for applying martial law in Gaza as well as Israeli sovereignty.
Eliyahu’s comments come after Zamir sparred with ministers over strategy in Gaza. According to an unconfirmed TV report, during Sunday’s cabinet meeting Zamir expressed support for a phased hostage deal with Hamas. This prompted pushback from Settlements and National Projects Minister Orit Strock, who accused him of cowardice by citing the Biblical verse “Is there anyone afraid and disheartened? Let him go back to his home, lest the courage of his comrades flag like his.”
The Channel 13 report said Zamir upbraided Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other assembled lawmakers, accusing them of only now deciding to seriously tackle the Hamas terror group as justification to widen the military campaign and avoid a possible hostage release deal.
The senior officer warned that the plan to conquer Gaza City will drag Israel into a full-fledged occupation of the Strip, calling on the ministers to “understand the implications” of their actions, Ynet reported.
According Channel 12, Netanyahu accused Zamir of attacking him in off-record briefings to reporters and also hit out at Zamir over several other issues, including for saying Israel should accept the hostage deal currently on offer.
The Times of Israel Community.