Eisenkot Urges Netanyahu to Avoid Dangerous Security Moves During Transition

Gadi Eisenkot urged outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday evening to exercise restraint over dangerous security moves that could wait until a new government has the Knesset's confidence. In a letter he published on his official page, Eisenkot called for national responsibility and caution amid what he described as a challenging and volatile security situation. Eisenkot said reports in recent weeks had raised serious concerns that considerations unrelated to national security were entering security decisions. He addressed Netanyahu's security and national responsibilities, asking him to protect public confidence in governing institutions and the way decisions are made. "Do not violate the people's trust in the institutions of government and in the decision-making process," Eisenkot wrote. His warning drew a distinction between a direct, immediate threat that cannot tolerate delay and military action that could be postponed. Eisenkot said using security forces without such an urgent threat could have destructive consequences for Israeli democracy and citizens' trust in government institutions. He also asked Netanyahu to avoid placing the heads of the security services in a difficult constitutional conflict. Eisenkot urged him not to create doubts among those chiefs about what was required of them or the correct course of action, and to allow them to carry out their duties without those doubts.