IDF officer pulls promotion request after Katz blocks appointment over anti-government activism

Col. (res.) German Giltman, whose promotion was blocked by Defense Minister Israel Katz, requested to withdraw his candidacy for a senior position that he was appointed to.

Last night, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir announced a round of senior appointments in the military. Among the list was Giltman, who retired from the IDF in 2022 and was set to be promoted to brigadier general and return to the military to serve in a senior role in the Ground Forces.

Zamir met this afternoon with Giltman, after Katz said that he would not approve the appointment, citing the reserve officer’s involvement in the Brother in Arms protest group.

During their meeting, Giltman “clarified that he never called for refusal of service and that the video that was circulated does not accurately reflect his positions,” the IDF says, referring to a video from March 2023 showing the reservist officer participating in a Brother in Arms press conference.

Giltman has served some 700 days in reserves as a “combat manager” and the chief of staff for the 162nd Division, which operated in the Gaza Strip for many months amid the war.

The IDF says that Zamir “reviewed the matter and noted that he will not allow any manifestations of refusal in the IDF, and was pleased to hear that the officer denounces the issue.”

“He added that he values the officer and his significant contribution to the IDF during his regular and reserve service, especially in the two years since the events of October 7,” the army says.

However, the IDF says that Giltman told Zamir that “in light of the publications and the turmoil that has developed around his appointment, he wishes to withdraw his candidacy for the position.”

“Giltman stressed that he will continue to serve in the reserves, as he has over the years, out of deep and principled commitment to the state and to the IDF,” the army adds.

The IDF adds that Zamir “expressed regret over the circumstances that led to the cancellation of the appointment and reiterated his deep appreciation for the officer’s work and his willingness to continue serving in the reserves.”