Barak, Ashkenazi discuss next deputy IDF chief of staff

Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi Thursday met to discuss the next appointment for deputy chief of staff. Dan Harel is planning to retire from the post.

Barak and Askenazi have been unable to agree on who the next deputy should be. One possible compromise candidate is Benny Gantz, the military attache at Israel's embassy in Washington.

Ashkenazi sought to appoint Gadi Eisenkut, GOC Northern Command, to the post, while Barak proposed GOC Southern Command Yoav Galant. The defense minister argued that appointing Galant would provide a choice of three solid candidates to replace Ashkenazi as chief of staff in 18 months' time, together with Eisenkut and Gantz.

Galant has said he will retire if he is not appointed deputy chief of staff. Barak believes that Galant needs the General Staff experience in order to be a legitimate candidate for the top IDF post. Eisenkut and Gantz have already held General Staff posts.

Ashkenazi is adamantly opposed to the appointment of Galant as his deputy, on the grounds that their poor relationship would affect their work together.

The chief of staff suggested that Harel stay on as his deputy to the end of Ashkenazi's term. Sources say that Barak is not happy about that option.

Gantz could be a compromise that both Ashkenazi and Barak can agree on. In that event Barak would try to persuade Galant not to retire, despite his announced intention, and to either take an educational leave or take another senior post, such as deputy Mossad or Shin Bet security services chief. The issue of the appointments has clearly created tension between Barak and Ashkenazi and has delayed the announcement of the appointment.