Report: Police to question former IDF chief Ashkenazi in Harpaz Affair
Affair is alleged 2010 plot to illegally undermine then defense minister Ehud Barak's choice for IDF chief of staff.
By YONAH JEREMY BOB, JPOST.COM STAFFFormer IDF chief of staff Lt.- Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi 370(photo credit: Screenshot CNN)
Media sources reported on Wednesday that police were set to question former IDF chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi in connection with the Harpaz Affair.The Harpaz Affair refers to an alleged 2010 plot by Lt.-Col.(res.) Boaz Harpaz, and possibly others, to illegally undermine then-defense minister Ehud Barak’s choice to succeed Gabi Ashkenazi as IDF chief of staff, as part of a more general battle between Barak and Ashkenazi involving both sides allegedly spying and spreading misinformation about the other. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s cabinet secretary Avichai Mandelblit was questioned by the Israel Police’s Lahav 433 anti-corruption unit Monday under suspicion of fraud and breach of trust in connection with the affair.Mandelblit served as the IDF’s military advocate-general at the time that the Harpaz Affair came to light in 2010.The fallout from the affair, if it leads to an indictment against Ashkenazi, still considered quite uncertain, could cause the downfall of a man who was one of the most popular IDF chiefs of staff in recent memory, and who has been considered a potential future prime minister.On the other hand, many say that if Ashkenazi is not indicted, he will remain in a strong future political position.Ben Hartman contributed to this report.
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