Incoming Chief of Staff Benny Gantz
Incoming Chief of Staff Benny GantzFlash 90

The Cabinet voted Sunday to approve the appointment of IDF Major-General Benny Gantz as the next Chief of Staff. The vote was unanimous.

Gantz will replace outgoing Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi. He replaces the original choice of Chief of Staff, Major-General Yoav Galant, who was dropped over accusations of involvement in illegal land deals.

Gantz will take office Monday, in the fastest transition in IDF history.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu expressed satisfaction with the appointment. Gantz as an “excellent officer and experienced commander,” he said.

The Turkel committee approved Gantz's appointment only on Thursday. Committee members noted that they found problematic behavior in Gantz's past, but decided he was a fitting candidate for the position of chief of staff nonetheless.

Among the problematic behavior cited was expanding his home without the proper permits, and building a balcony that extends into public land. In their decision to approve Gantz despite the issues, the committee members noted that Gantz had made reparations as soon as the problem was brought to his attention, and that there had been no need to file charges.