"Israel has the ability to operate in Iran, and we are committed to continuing and strengthening it. We have readiness, development capabilities, long-term processes that we are managing, and we will not expand. We need to prepare for this possibility and we will also need to consider the issue very carefully before implementing it." This is what Defense Minister Benny Gantz said yesterday (Tuesday), in a farewell speech from the military reporters' booth at the Kirya base in Tel Aviv.
In response to Israel Hayom's question regarding the words of MK Tzachi Hanegbi about Netanyahu promoting an attack on Iran in the coming term, Gantz said: "The last time the IDF was at the highest level of readiness, I was the Chief of Staff.
As it was published - it was decided by the prime minister who is expected to take office - not to do so.
I think that in this context Netanyahu will be sound."
"The last time the IDF was at the highest level of readiness, I was Chief of Staff, and the Prime Minister decided not to attack." Gantz and Netanyahu (archive), photo: Dodi Vaaknin
In his words, Gantz also stated that he expects that "Iranian prowess will receive a boost as a result of relations with Russia and the struggle between the superpowers. This will have an impact on the entire region. The competition with Iran is on the entire spectrum - technology, academia, fire fighting, space, transfer of weapons to organizations The terrorism.
We have significant successes in the northern arena."
Gantz is currently holding farewell meetings with the entire defense establishment, realizing that his days in the Ministry of Defense are numbered.
The outgoing minister denied the reports according to which President Herzog approached him with a request to join the emerging Netanyahu government.
"President Herzog did not suggest that I enter the government with Netanyahu. I had a meeting with him, and we did not discuss it, so I don't know where this issue came from," he ruled.
Gantz will complete a period of about two and a half years in the Ministry of Defense, during which he decided to move Kiryat Hamo'dein to the Negev, established a mission headquarters for the management of the Corona virus, strengthened the relationship with the Americans, decided on the awarding of the campaign badge for the period of the IDF's combat in Lebanon, approved the purchase of helicopters and fighter jets for the Air Force, He promoted the "Nefesh One" reform, launched the "Defense of the North" program, greatly strengthened Israel's ties with countries in the region such as Bahrain, Morocco and Turkey, which he visited a few days before the elections, and more.
The ministerial change ceremony about two years ago.
Gantz taking office in place of Naftali Bennett, photo: Oded Karni / L.A.M
"Everything possible must be done to preserve and expand the regional architecture - also vis-a-vis Iran, but not only," Gantz said yesterday in the closing conversation with reporters.
"There have been over 200 meetings in the security establishment with representatives of different countries and various officers since the Abraham Accords. I myself have had dozens of conversations and meetings with actors in the region, and hundreds of conversations with actors in the world. When you communicate with each other, you have the ability to get to know each other, share abilities, and reach the level of joint exercises , intelligence sharing and other issues.
In response to the question of whether Israel can help Ukraine beyond what it already helps, he stated: "The scope of our production is lower than the need for export - we do not have a large enough production base for that. In the Ukrainian context, it is clear that even if it is decided to change policy - it is impossible to empty the air defense systems Ours. These are talks in the air. We are checking what can be done and expanded, but we must not forget that NATO stands behind Ukraine."
worried about the situation.
Gantz and the division chiefs in Yosh, photo: Ariel Harmoni, Ministry of Defense
Gantz expressed concern about the security situation in the Yosh, noting that he "hopes that we will not see a higher level of violence than we have seen so far that will start from Jerusalem and radiate to the Yosh, Gaza, and possibly the northern arena as well. I hope this will not happen, but given the reality this is not a scenario in my opinion ".
On the issue of Abu Mazen and the Palestinians, he emphasized: "I came to talk to whoever is possible and to fight whoever is necessary - and this is not contradictory. The steps that the Palestinians are currently taking in The Hague and the UN are serious, harm the ability to improve the situation in the region, and do not serve their interests."
On the subject of the demand for the abolition of the Civil Administration, he said: "I don't think there is a way to do it, and it is certainly not true. I think it is necessary to increase the capabilities of the supervision and the budgets. We have started to do this. We also need to act on the issue of planning the infrastructure in Judea and Samaria that does not correspond to the population that lives There - the Israeli and the Palestinian. We must double Route 60, we must build 13-14 interchanges that will allow continuous movement for Palestinians as well. I don't think that they will really abolish the Civil Administration and that this is possible."
Regarding the intention to enact an escalation clause and the conscription law: "I was not able to bring in the service model. We made progress but we did not score. In the long run, it is impossible to live on the old model because it is not relevant to the company which is the percentage of its recruits. The current service model is not sustainable and we must reach a model Another that put the army in first place and next to it other options such as emergency services, social services. The High Court must soon refer to the conscription law and I am very disturbed by the intention to enact a surrogacy clause.
Both in the aspect of continuing service in the IDF, and also in the democratic aspect."
Despite the fact that Netanyahu pushed to wait with the appointment of the Chief of Staff until after the elections, Gantz stated that he does not believe that he will now try to replace the champion Herzi Halevi who was elected to the position. I know them. The runner entered many positions wherever he was, he spoke little and when he left there were results. Eyal's conduct (Zamir, LS) shows the person he is and he could also be an excellent Chief of Staff. I think we have a Chief of Staff He is excellent even today, he made great processes in the army, he was with two operations and you saw the results, he built the force, you saw the development in the BBM and you saw the innovation conference he led. I don't think Netanyahu will decide to replace the Chief of Staff.
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