Netanyahu and Eisenkot to Hold Security Briefing Amid Dispute Over Military Decisions

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yashar! party chairman Gadi Eisenkot announced Thursday afternoon that they would hold a diplomatic and security briefing at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem. The meeting, scheduled for 5:00 p.m., will also be attended by the Prime Minister's Military Secretary, Major General Guy Markizano.

The announcement follows a public exchange between Eisenkot and Defense Minister Israel Katz over the government's handling of national security decisions amid political tensions.

On Wednesday evening, Eisenkot called on Netanyahu to exercise restraint and caution when making security-related decisions, citing the sensitive political situation. In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister's Office and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, he warned against deploying security forces in circumstances that do not require urgent intervention.

"Deploying security forces in the absence of a direct and immediate threat that cannot be postponed could have devastating consequences for Israeli democracy and public trust in government institutions," Eisenkot argued.

Katz: Israel's Security Cannot Wait for Political Processes

Responding Thursday, Katz rejected Eisenkot's criticism, insisting that the government does not require approval from the opposition or legal authorities to direct the IDF to carry out security operations.

"We do not need authorization from the opposition or any legal authority to direct the IDF to carry out targeted operations in Gaza, defensive and offensive operations in Lebanon, maintain the security zone in Syria to protect communities in the Golan Heights, evacuate a neighborhood of terrorists in Hebron—an operation that has proven highly effective in creating strong deterrence—or continue offensive counterterrorism operations in Judea and Samaria," Katz said.

Addressing the Iranian threat, Katz maintained that Israel had demonstrated both determination and sound judgment in its military decisions, in full coordination with the IDF, and would continue to act as circumstances required. "Israel's security is not in a transitional period and does not wait for political processes taking place simultaneously," he declared.

Katz concluded by emphasizing that responsibility for national security decisions remains with the sitting government, subject to existing oversight.

"There is one prime minister, one defense minister who directs the IDF, and one government responsible for making decisions concerning Israel's security and the protection of its citizens, naturally subject to the necessary and existing oversight," he stated.