IDF chief upbraids general for sending strategic document on Iran to PM without approval

Maj. Gen. Eliezer Toledano, the head of the IDF’s Strategy and Third-Circle Directorate, sent a highly sensitive “strategic document” on Iran to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu without following appropriate procedures, and was upbraided for this by IDF Chief Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Channel 12 reports, in what it says is another incident highlighting the mounting friction between the security establishment and the prime minister.

Toledano, a former military secretary to the prime minister and a former head of the IDF’s Southern Command, drew up the document in recent weeks. It focuses on Iran’s regional influence, the impact of leadership changes in Tehran and other top-secret issues, the report says.

The directorate Toledano heads is tasked with the military’s Iran file.

Channel 12 says it is not clear whether Toledano sent the document to Netanyahu in a separate email without telling Halevi and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, or whether he sent it to all three of them together.

Halevi and Gallant became aware that it was sent to Netanyahu without them seeing and approving it first, the report says, “and they are furious.”

Halevi told Toledano that he had exceeded his authority and breached procedures, the report says.

Gallant, separately, had “a very tough” discussion with Toledano, at the end of which Gallant temporarily suspended the general from attending cabinet meetings and other top-level security consultations pending further clarifications. That suspension has now been lifted.

The prime minister and defense minister declined to comment on the incident. The IDF Spokesman’s office confirmed that the document was distributed to the prime minister, defense minister, chief of staff and other generals “not in accordance with orderly procedures,” and that Toledano was “made aware of this” by Halevi.