IDF chief slams attacks on COGAT head after right-wing panelists cast doubt on his loyalty to Israel

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir strongly condemns “offensive discourse” targeting the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) and its head, Maj. Gen. Ghassan Alian, after some correspondents and panelists on the right-wing Channel 14 made racially charged comments on air.

During a live broadcast yesterday, the correspondents claimed that not only Alian, but the Druze community as a whole “have taken over the position of COGAT head and don’t always do a good job there,” insinuating that Alian is beholden more to his community than to the state, accusing him of the failures surrounding Hamas’s onslaught of October 7, 2023, and alleging without evidence that “dark things are happening at COGAT.”

“The remarks referring to the general’s ethnic background are unacceptable and have no place in public discourse in the State of Israel,” the IDF responds in a statement.

The military stresses that Zamir has “full confidence in and appreciation” for Alian, describing him as “an outstanding combat officer who has served for decades with unwavering dedication to the security of the State of Israel, its citizens, and residents — often at the risk of his own life.” His contribution to the country, and particularly to strengthening ties with the Druze community, is highlighted as “unique and profound.”

“Any attempt to cast doubt on the service of COGAT personnel — whose contribution to Israel is highly significant and forms an essential part of the country’s security and civilian activity — is entirely unacceptable, and the IDF rejects it outright,” the army adds.