Netanyahu said to shout at Halevi, IAF chief for warnings that military fitness hurt

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tore into IDF chief Herzi Halevi and Air Force commander Tomer Bar during a phone call two days ago, Channel 13 news reports, after the latter warned that protests by reservists opposed to the government’s judicial overhaul were having an increasingly negative effect on the military.

“This is an army that’s taken over the country, you’re hurting deterrence,” Netanyahu is quoted as shouting. “Why are you putting out headlines like this?”

In response, Halevi reportedly said: “I can’t stand aside when [military] fitness is harmed.”

Following the report, and a similar item by aired by Channel 12 news, Netanyahu’s office denies there was any shouting, but not the other details.

“Even when the prime minister speaks aggressively, he does not shout. He relays his comments and orders in a businesslike manner,” a statement from his office says.

According to Channel 12, which did not cite a source, Netanyahu indicated to top security officials during a meeting today that the coalition is likely to halt its push to weaken the judiciary, blaming the opposition for failed negotiations before the first overhaul bill was passed last month and saying he thought it was unlikely the sides would reach an agreement on remaking the Judicial Selection Committee.