The Prime Minister's National Security Adviser, Uzi Arad, apologized Tuesday evening to IDF Chief of Staff Lt-Gen Gabi Ashkenazi for slighting him in remarks regarding the proposed Shalit deal. He noted that he had not intended to insult Ashkenazi personally and that he values his work.
Arad had accused Ashkenazi of behaving as if he were “Chairman of the Soldiers' Parents' Council” instead of the commander of the military. He reportedly also accused Ashkenazi of supporting the proposed release of prisoners in exchange for captive IDF soldier Gilad Shalit because he, Ashkenazi, had failed to provide a military solution for freeing the soldier.
Arad said that his comments were made behind closed doors and that he was not the one who leaked the comment to the press. A report in Haaretz said that the leak “endangered the secrecy of the deliberations in the Forum of Seven.”
Lt-Gen Ashkenazi has long favored the proposed deals involving the release of terrorists in exchange for Sgt. Shalit. He joined the marathon deliberations of the Forum of Seven Monday in a move that was seen as a bid to strengthen the hand of the deal's proponents. The Forum of Seven is a group of ministers whom the Prime Minister convenes as an “inner cabinet” for discussing security matters and whom he trusts to maintain secrecy.
Media sources quoted Arad's attack Tuesday, but at first said only that they were made by a senior member of the Prime Minister's Office. Defense Minister Ehud Barak said that he “rejects with contempt” the attacks on Ashkenazi: “Chief of Staff Ashkenazi is a respected fighter and a commander and his views are in keeping with the IDF's values.”
The Prime Minister's Bureau said that “the Prime Minister strongly rejects statements attributed to a senior member of his bureau. The Prime Minister appreciates Ashkenazi's work in leading the IDF and his position regarding bringing Shalit back safe and sound. The Chief of Staff's position obviously and clearly stems from his honest concern for Israel's security, as do those of all the members of the consultation forum.”