IDF chief had Galant Document for weeks

IDF sources surprised Ashkenazi did not inform Barak, Galant earlier.

By JPOST.COM STAFF, YAAKOV LAPPIN
ashkenazi GOOD 311 (photo credit: IDF Spokesperson)
ashkenazi GOOD 311
(photo credit: IDF Spokesperson)
A new development in the "Galant Document" episode broke Tuesday.
According to police reports, IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi was in possession of the Galant document weeks before Channel 2 publicized its contents on its Friday night news program Ulpan Shishi. The army, under Ashkenazi's instruction, has provided the document to police for their examination, making the court case involving Channel 2's copy of the document a moot issue.
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IDF sources expressed surprise that Ashkenazi did not inform Defense Minister Ehud Barak or call in Maj. Gen. Yoav Galant to explain the material when he first received it.
Ashkenazi instead sent the document to military prosecutors to provide a professional opinion if there were any legally actionable offenses contained within it. Before a response was drafted, Channel 2 broke the story and publicized the document.
Ashkenazi testified to the police in the "Galant Document" case on Tuesday. The chief military prosecutor will also be called to testify with the police.
Israel Radio also reported that a number of Major Generals said they received the document when Ashkenazi did.
Police released a statement on Tuesday afternoon criticizing the Israel Radio report and warning that media speculation was having a harmful effect on the investigation.
"We would like to clarify at this stage that the investigation is being managed under a total media blackout in order to safeguard the interests of the investigation. The investigation is at its height and has not yet ended," police said.
"Therefore, the various many reports accompanying the investigation...could disrupt and harm the people whose names are being raised in the reports without any basis," the statement added.
Police urged the media to "wait for the end of the investigation, which is based on facts and evidence. We are seeking to complete the investigation as quickly as possible, while maintaining the appropriate levels of professionalism and sensitivity that are needed."
Yaakov Katz contributed to this report.