War probe will pave way for new round of IDF appointments - Haaretz

Last update - 10:17 30/04/2007

War probe will pave way for new round of IDF appointments

By Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondent

The release of the Winograd Committee's interim report on the Second Lebanon War on Monday will end the ongoing delay in new appointments to the Israel Defense Forces General Staff.

Thus, a long list of senior IDF officers - some still on active duty, others on their way to retirement - are anxiously awaiting the report's release.

The first appointments may be made by this weekend.

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The following are the officers whose conduct will be discussed in the report:

Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi: The report will cover the six years during which Ashkenazi was GOC Northern Command and then deputy chief of staff. It appears that the report will criticize him, but not nearly to the extent that it does former chief of staff Dan Halutz.

Major General Udi Adam, who was GOC Northern Command during the war: The report is expected to criticize the command's preparedness for war and the way its headquarters conducted itself during the war's first days. However, far more criticism is expected in the final report, due this summer, which will focus on Adam's lack of assertiveness in his management of the command and in his contacts with the General Staff.

Deputy Chief of Staff Moshe Kaplinsky and Major General Gadi Eisenkot (who was chief of operations during the war and is now GOC Northern Command): The report is highly critical of Halutz's silencing of other officers, and particularly these two. The question is whether the committee will say that they should have bypassed the chief of staff and brought their reservations directly before the political leadership. Most likely, this matter will be clarified only in the final report.

Major General Benny Gantz, commander of the Ground Forces: His conduct may be criticized both as GOC Northern Command from 2002 to 2005 and as head of the Ground Forces in the year prior to the war.

Major General Amos Yadlin, head of Military Intelligence: The prevailing opinion is that Military Intelligence conducted itself adequately during the war and that the problems were not due to intelligence failures. However, there could be criticism on narrow issues.

Major General Dudu Ben-Bassat, commander of the Navy: Army officers are still bewildered as to how Ben-Bassat has thus far emerged unscathed from the fiasco involving the naval destroyer INS Hanit. A direct reference to this incident by the committee could end his career.

Later this week, Ashkenazi is expected to announce new appointments to the General Staff. Major General Gadi Shamni, military secretary to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, is thought to have the best chance of being appointed GOC Central Command in place of Yair Naveh, who is planning to retire.

A number of brigadiers generals are also likely to be promoted, including one to replace Shamni. Among the names being mentioned are the commander of the IDF forces in the West Bank, Yair Golan; the head of doctrine and training at the General Staff, Danny Biton; and the former commander of the IDF forces in Gaza, Aviv Kochavi.

Another appointment will be announced only later: that of Major General Dan Harel as deputy chief of staff in place of Kaplinsky, who is leaving to continue his studies. Major General Benny Gantz was apparently offered the post of military attache to the United States in place of Harel, but is not enthusiastic about it.

Ashkenazi is also facing another problem: GOC Southern Command Yoav Galant has said that he is not interested in replacing Gantz, and may retire if he does not get the job he wants - deputy chief of staff.

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