Sara Netanyahu repeatedly slams IDF chief, opposed his appointment – report
PM’s wife said to accuse Eyal Zamir of echoing anti-government protesters, prioritizing hostages over destroying Hamas; she reportedly lobbied for Shin Bet head nominee Zini instead
Sara Netanyahu has repeatedly criticized Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, saying that he has “prioritized returning the hostages over defeating Hamas,” according to a Tuesday report.
The prime minister’s wife told Likud party officials in recent weeks that she was dissatisfied with Zamir’s performance in the war and said that he was echoing the “Kaplan messaging,” referencing Tel Aviv’s Kaplan Street, the main site of weekly protests calling for the government to agree to a deal to return the hostages, Channel 12 news reported.
She also reportedly opposed Zamir’s recent appointment as chief of staff and lobbied for Maj. Gen. David Zini — the prime minister’s current, divisive pick to lead the Shin Bet — to be named IDF chief, even after Zamir was selected.
The Prime Minister’s Office issued a response denying the claims about Sara Netanyahu, saying she “has tirelessly worked for the families of the hostages since the beginning of the war” and that “any attempt to attribute other messages to her is unfounded and false.”
Zamir said Sunday, during a visit to Gaza, that the fighting against the Hamas terror group that rules the Strip was “not an endless war.”
“We will activate all of our tools so that we can return the hostages home, defeat Hamas, and dismantle its rule,” he continued, according to an Israel Defense Forces statement.
It was reported last week that Zini had told colleagues in the military: “I’m against hostage deals. This is an eternal war.”
Channel 12 reported last week that Zini had criticized Zamir’s predecessor Herzi Halevi several months ago over his stance on the hostage issue, saying, “You prioritize the return of the hostages over destroying Hamas.”
Relations between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Zamir have been increasingly strained over the past few weeks, with the two clashing and the premier subsequently deciding to blindside Zamir with the nomination of Zini as Shin Bet chief, Channel 12 reported on Monday, quoting unnamed sources close to Netanyahu.
Netanyahu only updated Zamir about the decision to nominate Zini as head of the security agency shortly before it was publicly announced last Thursday.
His selection has prompted widespread criticism including from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, opposition from the High Court of Justice and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, and officials within the Shin Bet who have expressed concern that Zini’s “messianic” views conflict with the agency’s core values and threatened to resign if he is given the role, according to reports Sunday.
It is still uncertain whether Zini will ultimately be appointed Shin Bet chief, owing to the legal problems over Netanyahu’s involvement in the process, following the High Court of Justice’s determination that he had a conflict of interest in firing the security agency’s outgoing head, Ronen Bar.
The Times of Israel Community.