IAF Commander Maj.-Gen. Tomer Bar on Thursday suspended Col. “G” for misconduct regarding the ongoing protests against the government’s judicial overhaul policy.
The suspension is in place unless overruled by IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi should G choose to appeal.
Bar told a briefing of military reporters that “for three weeks we in the air force have dealt with this [striking] episode carefully,” and with balance and sensitivity.
The air force chief said that he respects G, remains G’s commander and was personally involved in aspects of G’s service with the IDF.
Why was G suspended?
“He was suspended because he synchronized striking among the pilots. When I asked him twice, he didn’t give me the full picture. His conduct was revealed to me from a forum of air force commanders. One of them revealed to me what G did not reveal when we sat face to face. This undermining of trust caused me to suspend him,” Bar explained.
“G took upon himself authorities of those serving in the air force which I didn’t give him. I did not authorize him to push them about when they show up or do not show up for duty,” he said.
Bar said that G’s “intentions are irrelevant. You don’t do this without checking with the air force commander. This ruins the chain of command; I had to stop this.”
“Obviously, anyone in the IDF can” request to avoid showing up, noting that 10-15 pilots had done so as individuals, “but from my view, for him to organize issues that are not IDF issues is not acceptable. This is my personal decision and did not come from any pressure. It was a decision made with a heavy heart after consulting with the forum of top commanders and the IDF chief.”
G explained that during the past weeks, he and friends in the air force reserve had discussed the possible impact of the judicial reforms and brought up their concerns with the air force’s commander, which they would continue to do.