Almanar
10/02/2010 Severe tension has developed between Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Israeli army Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi - Barak is furious over what he sees as Ashkenazi's efforts to get his term extended for an exceptional fifth year. This issue prompted senior ministry officials to lash out at Israeli army Spokesman Avi Benayahu on Tuesday.
Ashkenazi is slated to finish his four-year term in February 2011. Three weeks ago, however, Haaretz reported that he is angling for a fifth year, claiming the sensitive security situation and the lack of a suitable replacement make this necessary.
Publicly, Ashkenazi vehemently denies this. Nevertheless, people who support the idea, including some retired senior officers, have been quietly exploring it with various politicians.
Tuesday night, Channel 1 television reported that several senior ministers are pushing the idea, and therefore, a fifth year seems likely. That sparked a furious reaction from the Israeli Defense Ministry.
"The defense establishment and the cabinet have great esteem for the chief of staff, but the question of extending his term for another year never has been discussed in any forum," one senior official said. "The publication of tonight's [i.e. last night's] report, a product of Avi Benayahu's school, generates contempt for the chief of staff and the institution of the chief of staff."
Relations between Barak and Ashkenazi have been tense for several months, but this is the first time tension has boiled over in such a public fashion. Barak is apparently unhappy about both Ashkenazi's public popularity - which has generated speculation about his political future - and certain aspects of his conduct toward the government.
Though Barak's office did not say so explicitly Tuesday night, the Israeli defense minister is apparently not interested in keeping Ashkenazi on for a fifth year. And while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will also be involved, Barak will be the key player in determining who the next chief of staff is.
River to Sea
Uprooted Palestinian
10/02/2010 Severe tension has developed between Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Israeli army Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi - Barak is furious over what he sees as Ashkenazi's efforts to get his term extended for an exceptional fifth year. This issue prompted senior ministry officials to lash out at Israeli army Spokesman Avi Benayahu on Tuesday.
Ashkenazi is slated to finish his four-year term in February 2011. Three weeks ago, however, Haaretz reported that he is angling for a fifth year, claiming the sensitive security situation and the lack of a suitable replacement make this necessary.
Publicly, Ashkenazi vehemently denies this. Nevertheless, people who support the idea, including some retired senior officers, have been quietly exploring it with various politicians.
Tuesday night, Channel 1 television reported that several senior ministers are pushing the idea, and therefore, a fifth year seems likely. That sparked a furious reaction from the Israeli Defense Ministry.
"The defense establishment and the cabinet have great esteem for the chief of staff, but the question of extending his term for another year never has been discussed in any forum," one senior official said. "The publication of tonight's [i.e. last night's] report, a product of Avi Benayahu's school, generates contempt for the chief of staff and the institution of the chief of staff."
Relations between Barak and Ashkenazi have been tense for several months, but this is the first time tension has boiled over in such a public fashion. Barak is apparently unhappy about both Ashkenazi's public popularity - which has generated speculation about his political future - and certain aspects of his conduct toward the government.
Though Barak's office did not say so explicitly Tuesday night, the Israeli defense minister is apparently not interested in keeping Ashkenazi on for a fifth year. And while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will also be involved, Barak will be the key player in determining who the next chief of staff is.
River to Sea
Uprooted Palestinian
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