PM, Ya’alon lock horns over appointment of top defense official

Director of security in the defense establishment steps down next week, but Netanyahu said blocking minister’s chosen replacement

By ToI Staff 27 November 2015, 10:18 pm

Edit

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon (L) in the assembly hall of the Knesset on November 24, 2015. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon are in serious disagreement over the nominee for a top position in the Defense Ministry, Channel 10 reported Friday night.

Amir Kayin, the current director of security of the defense establishment, will step down next Tuesday, and his successor has not yet been announced.

According to Channel 10, Ya’alon had a candidate in mind but as Netanyahu refuses to bring the matter to the government, the appointment cannot be made. Ya’alon, the report said, is fuming at Netanyahu for not vetting his appointee, who was not named.

While the post is a vital one, the department is seldom reported on due to the secretive nature of its work.

The directorate is in charge of securing the ministry and its officials, Israeli weapons manufacturing facilities and the plants and facilities involved in the development and production of weapons of mass destruction, as well as makers of products intended to defend against the use of WMDs by enemy countries.

Among the installations the directorate secures are the Negev Nuclear Research Center, home to the Dimona nuclear reactor, and the Institute of Biological Research in Ness Ziona.

Logo of the Directorate of Security of the Defense Establishment. (Courtesy)

The department is also in charge of vetting nominees for positions in which officials are exposed to sensitive security material, conduct security checks of secret installations, carry out investigations into the sources of security leaks and handle agents acquiring technological intelligence in foreign countries.

The department was established by Chaim Carmon in 1958, who served as its leader until 1986. He was replaced by Yechiel Chorev, who held the position until 2007 when he was succeeded by Kayin.

The department has previously come under criticism for its extreme opacity. Critics say the department’s complete lack of transparency is not in line with Israel’s democratic nature.

A Channel 10 analyst speculated that if a replacement for Kayin is not found by next week, he would be replaced by an acting director or his tenure would be extended.