Zamir Reportedly Renews Warning Against Netanyahu’s Proposed Iran Action

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has reportedly renewed his objections to actions Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to advance against Iran. The disagreement was reported on Tuesday, November 10, and concerned recent closed security discussions in which Zamir warned that the proposed actions could lead to another conflict with Iran. According to the report, Zamir regarded the actions under consideration as insufficiently cautious. The renewed dispute comes amid uncertainty over the formation of Israel’s next government, how long the caretaker government will remain in office and who will become prime minister. The report also described U.S. President Donald Trump as showing little appetite for another confrontation with Iran. Netanyahu’s office rejected the account as deliberately misleading. It said: “We do not comment on what is said in closed security discussions.” An earlier disagreement over Iran-related action was reported on October 25. At that time, Zamir reportedly sought a detailed discussion and signed legal authorizations before carrying out an instruction from the political leadership. Unnamed security sources warned that the proposed action could rapidly produce a confrontation through miscalculation. Netanyahu denied that earlier clash, saying there was no confrontation, and accused others of obscuring Zamir’s warning that Iran might interfere in the election.