MKs slam defense minister for preventing army officer from appearing before c'tee; Barak says he's protecting military ranks from politics.
Barak speech serious 311(photo credit: REUTERS/Charles Dharapak/Pool )ByJPOST.COM STAFFMembers of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee accused Defense Minister Ehud Barak of preventing the participation of senior IDF officers in a debate scheduled to be held on Sunday.A scheduled debate on recognition of Palestinian statehood and the "Fayyad Plan" was cancelled when Barak decided not to allow the officers to appear before the committee, MKs alleged.MK Ze'ev Elkin called Barak's decision "outrageous" and said it infringed on Knesset procedures.In response, Barak issued a statement saying that the civilian leadership is supposed to protect the military ranks, and not to demand their appearance before the Knesset for political issues like the "Fayyad Plan."He said that other officials, like the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, the director-general of the Defense Ministry or minister of homeland security should be invited for such discussions..If needed, Barak added, he would be willing to appear in front of the Knesset himself in order to answer their political questions but asserted that it is not the role of military leadership to do so.RECOMMENDED STORIESIDF gains full air superiority over Tehran, confirms death of two Iranian officialsJUNE 14, 2025IDF says aircraft operating in heart of Tehran, denies claim Iran shot down fighter jetJUNE 14, 2025Tehran under fire: IDF continues strikes in Iran, focusing on the capital – what was hit?JUNE 14, 2025The road to Tehran has been paved: IDF secures air route for stronger strikes on IranJUNE 14, 2025