Finance Minister Smotrich claims stopping politicians from criticising IDF chief is undemocratic

Finance Minister and Religious Zionism Party leader Bezalel Smotrich defends attacks on IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi during a cabinet meeting last night, writing on X, formerly Twitter, that politicians questioning or criticizing military officials does not mean they are not giving full support to the army amid the war against Hamas in Gaza.

“It is permissible and even desirable to ask the army questions, and to criticize it as well,” he writes. “The attempts to prevent this are undemocratic and very dangerous. This is the first lesson from the initial investigation of the October 7 [assaults].”

6. שאלות וביקורת של דרג מדיני למפקדי צה"ל הם לא "השתלחות" ולא סותרים גיבוי מלא. מותר ואפילו רצוי לשאול את הצבא שאלות וגם לבקר אותו. הניסיונות למנוע את זה הם לא דמוקרטים ובעיקר מסוכנים מאוד. זה הלקח הראשון מהתחקיר הראשון של ה 7 לאוקטובר.

— בצלאל סמוטריץ' (@bezalelsm) January 5, 2024

Smotrich’s statement comes after an explosive argument was reported to have occurred during a meeting of top ministers who intended to discuss planning for the administration of Gaza following the end of the war.

According to reports, the brawl erupted as right-wing lawmakers cried foul over plans for the army to probe its own mistakes.

Right-wing politicians, including some from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party, reportedly took aim at Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi over both the timing of the inquest and the inclusion of an ex-defense minister in the investigation process.