IDF chief ‘severely reprimands’ division commander who challenged political leadership

The IDF says the commander of the 98th Division, Brig. Gen. Dan Goldfus, received a “severe reprimand” by Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi for his off-script remarks directed at Israel’s political leaders during a press conference Wednesday.

“The chief of staff severely reprimanded the division commander for acting contrary to what was expected of a senior commander in the IDF,” the military says.

Halevi told Goldfus that he “used the trust given to him in a way that harmed the dignity of the IDF, and the boundaries between the political and military echelons in a democratic country.”

The chief of staff also said he “appreciates his professionalism and deep contribution to the IDF, certainly during the war in the last months, but this does not allow him to behave in the way he acted.”

Goldfus, according to the IDF, accepted Halevi’s rebuke, admitted his actions were wrong and contrary to military protocol, and apologized for them.

Goldfus had addressed Israel’s political leadership after a prepared and approved statement, telling them they must “be worthy of us,” that the military would “not run away from responsibility,” and that they must push away extremism.

The additional remarks were not approved by Goldfus’s superiors.