Liberman Warns Against War Decisions Without Parliamentary Oversight

Yisrael Beytenu chairman MK Avigdor Liberman warned on Thursday, November 12, against decisions by a caretaker government that could draw Israel into war without parliamentary oversight and the full agreement of security officials. He called for agreement across the security leadership, emphasizing: “I stress, all the security officials.” Earlier that morning, Defense Minister Israel Katz said the government retained responsibility for directing the IDF during the transition. He cited counterterrorism operations in Gaza, defensive and offensive action in Lebanon, the security zone in Syria protecting Golan communities, and operations in Judea and Samaria. Katz said Israel had acted firmly and with judgment toward Iran, in full coordination with the IDF, and would continue according to security requirements. Katz said one prime minister and one defense minister direct the military, and one government remains responsible for security decisions under existing and required oversight. “Israel’s security is not in transition,” he said. Section 40 of Basic Law: The Government requires a government decision to begin a war or undertake significant military action likely, with near certainty, to lead to war. It permits delegation to a statutory ministerial committee on specified security, foreign-relations or secrecy grounds, while preserving other military action needed to defend the state and public security. It also requires notification of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee as soon as possible, with separate reporting provisions when the ministerial committee acts.