Barak, Ashkenazi testify before State Comptroller

Defense Minister, Chief of Staff discuss "Galant document" with Lindenstraus; Barak freezes Brick Committee's activities.

By YAAKOV KATZ
311_Micha Lindenstrauss (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
311_Micha Lindenstrauss
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
Defense Minister Ehud Barak and IDF Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi were questioned on Sunday by State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss regarding the so-called “Galant document,” which police have concluded was forged by a former military officer.
The police have already completed a criminal investigation of the affair and concluded that the Galant document was forged by Lt.-Col. (res.) Boaz Harpaz. Last month the police handed the investigation material over to the state prosecution with a recommendation to indict Harpaz.
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During their meeting on Sunday, Barak informed Lindenstrauss of his decision to freeze the activity of the Brick Committee, which the defense minister had established to probe the ethical ramifications of the affair for the IDF.
Lindenstrauss is expected to probe the forgery itself, as well as the possible involvement of members of Ashkenazi’s senior staff and the relationship between Harpaz, Ashkenazi and the latter’s wife, Ronit, who was reportedly in contact with Harpaz in the months leading up to the discovery of the forged document.
The investigation is being led by Maj.-Gen. (res.) Yaakov Or, who is in charge of overseeing the defense establishment in the State Comptroller’s Office.
Or is also expected to look into the relationship between Barak and Ashkenazi and the possibility that tense ties between the two officials led Harpaz to forge the document.