Katz says he is continuing to work with IDF chief despite public spat over Oct. 7 probes

Defense Minister Israel Katz says he will continue to work with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, amid their public spat over the military’s October 7 investigations.

“Regarding the chief of staff, we have worked, are working, and will work together in everything related to the operational arenas of the State of Israel on all fronts. We work together with the prime minister… and we will continue to work, and there is constant dialogue,” Katz says during a Knesset plenum session.

“We scheduled in advance a work meeting tomorrow that we will definitely hold. Yesterday, we participated in a discussion with the prime minister on an important issue regarding Judea and Samaria (West Bank). We are working, working all the time,” he says.

“There is some disagreement regarding the issue of investigations and the need to deepen them in accordance with the recommendations of the Turgeman committee,” Katz says, referring to a panel of former senior officers that reviewed the IDF’s internal October 7 investigations.

Katz says his decision to appoint the defense establishment comptroller to examine the report by Maj. Gen. (res.) Sami Turgeman is necessary so that he can rule on senior appointments in the IDF.

“I have no doubt that I represent a very broad public interest in knowing what happened on October 7. The public also wants to know. The bereaved families also want to know,” he adds.