Netanyahu’s son shares post castigating IDF chief, earning reaction by defense minister

Yair Netanyahu, the prime minister’s son, who is widely viewed as wielding influence over his father, shares a Facebook post slamming IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi for not cracking down on reservists who have refused to show up for their duties over the coalition’s judicial overhaul legislation.

The post, written by right-wing journalist Erez Tadmor, alleges that Halevi “will be remembered as the most failed chief of staff in the history of the IDF.”

Yair Netanyahu deletes the post after it is widely reported in the media.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, a former IDF chief, issues a statement supporting Halevi, apparently in reaction to the controversy, saying he is “one of the most outstanding officers I met in all my years in the IDF and the security forces — a brave, honest, serious, level-headed and thorough commander.

“The Israeli nation benefits greatly from the fact that in these complex times, Chief of Staff Halevi is leading the IDF.”