Barak-Ashkenazi clash postpones IDF appointments

A decision on senior Israel Defense Forces appointments is likely to be put off again. Since Passover, the defense establishment has been promising the appointees will be announced within days. But disagreements between Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi are delaying the decisions.

The two are still disagreeing over which officers will be appointed deputy chief of staff and Military Intelligence head, Haaretz has learned.

Even though the discussions revolve around two specific posts, the matter has broader implications. In February 2011 Ashkenazi will step down as chief of staff, presuming his term is not extended to five years, which would be an unusual step. These appointments will determine how various officers are placed to compete for the army's top post.

Another issue is who is responsible for the appointments, especially since they will affect who will become chief of staff. How is authority divided between the defense minister and the chief of staff, and how involved is the prime minister?

It is no secret that Ashkenazi would like to appoint GOC Northern Command, Gadi Eisenkot, as his deputy, in place of Major General Dan Harel.

As possible candidates for MI head, replacing Major General Amos Yadlin, Ashkenazi has named a few candidates, including deputy chief of staff Harel and GOC Central Command Gadi Shamni. But the really interesting part of Ashkenazi's list is who it leaves out: GOC Southern Command Yoav Galant and Military Attache in Washington Benny Gantz. Both are considered candidates for chief of staff.

Galant and Gantz are familiar with the rules of the game, and announced in private meetings with Barak and Ashkenazi that they are interested only in being deputy chief of staff. This means three major generals are competing for the position. The post of MI head is considered at best an alternative.

Someone will have to lose out, and most probably will retire.

Meanwhile, the defense minister told military correspondents that he does not consider the deputy chief of staff position to be a necessary stepping stone to the IDF top job.

Barak added, in a statement is intended mostly for Ashkenazi, that he intends to be involved in the next round of appointment, and that they need to be made in a way such that several officers have a realistic chance of competing for the chief of staff post.

Conversations between Barak and Ashkenazi are being conducted under a veil of secrecy. However, it is known that the defense minister would like Eisenkot to stay as GOC Northern Command for one more year, and for Galant and Gantz to fill the remaining two posts.