Eisenkot Says Netanyahu Tried to Block Advocate General Afek Post Over Sexual Orientation

Yashar chair Gadi Eisenkot told the Chok Segai Equality Conference at the Peres Center on Sunday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought to block Col. Sharon Afek's promotion to Chief Military Advocate General during Eisenkot's IDF Chief of Staff tenure because of his sexual orientation. Eisenkot said he picked Afek from three candidates as a legal prodigy, excellent commander and man of stature. Two days later he was told there was a problem, and resolved it in ten minutes before the announcement went out. Afek later became the IDF's first openly gay major general in 2018 under Eisenkot's leadership. The LGBT Association for Equality said the account, if true, was shocking testimony that would breach Israel's Equal Opportunities in Employment Law.