Khaberni - Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attacked the Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir on Thursday, accusing him of "exceeding his authority" in criticizing Defense Minister Yisrael Katz.
Smotrich's criticisms of the Chief of Staff come amid other disputes between Zamir and Katz, against the background of investigations into the failures of the attack on October 7, 2023.
The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation quoted Smotrich, leader of the far-right "Religious Zionism" party, saying that "Zamir exceeded his powers. In a democratic state, it is forbidden for anyone in military uniform to openly attack the political class."
Regarding Zamir's disputes with Katz, Smotrich said that "it is unacceptable for the Chief of Staff to issue media statements and openly attack the minister responsible for him."
He added, "Even if the Chief of Staff feels wronged, he must solve the problem privately," considering that "there are rules and foundations to democracy, things that are forbidden for the Chief of Staff and permissible for the minister, as he represents the political level."
Freezing without Consultation
Last Monday, Katz froze appointments in senior military positions, the day after Zamir's dismissal of senior officers "without consulting him". The dismissals occurred against the background of the failure to prevent and confront the October 7, 2023 attack. Following the decision to freeze the appointments, Zamir issued a strongly worded statement accusing Katz of jeopardizing security.
Officials consider the events of October 7, 2023, to represent the greatest intelligence and military failure in Israel, causing significant damage to the image of Tel Aviv and its army globally.
Since Zamir's appointment in March 2025, his disputes with Katz have recurred in the investigations of October 7, 2023, and a round of military appointments in August last year without prior coordination with the minister.
Then, in October last year, Katz tried to appoint his military secretary, Guy Markizano, as the military attaché in Washington, where he then collided with Zamir's refusal, according to local media.
