Tensions high between Defense Minister Katz and Chief of Staff Halevi

'Responsibility Has Meaning': Heated Exchange Between Israel Katz and Herzi Halevi

During a conversation between Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and Defense Minister Israel Katz, Katz reprimanded Halevi, saying, "The word responsibility has meaning." Halevi replied, "What do you think? That I don't carry this with me every day?"

Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi (photo: IDF Spokesperson Unit)

A few weeks ago, Defense Minister Israel Katz met with Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and urged him to complete the investigations into the events of October 7 as soon as possible, in order to present the public with an overview of the operational failure.

According to two sources who were privy to the details of the conversation between them, which were published today (Tuesday) by Yaron Abraham (Channel 12 News), Katz explained to Halevi that the significance of submitting the investigations in the near future is dramatic for public trust from his perspective. Here are quotes from the conversation:

Katz: "Responsibility is not a general term, people were murdered"

The Minister of Defense continued: "Responsibility is not a vague term. Babies were burned, women were raped and their bodies desecrated, and people were murdered. You are the head of this system!"

The Chief of Staff replied: "What do you think? That I don't carry this with me every day, especially the citizens who were murdered and kidnapped?"

Katz clarified: "In the end, something happened here, and the word responsibility has meaning. There are families who deserve explanations, there is the public, and there are lessons to be learned regarding the IDF and appointments."

The publication of the conversation comes after the Chief of Staff, Halevi, announced his resignation today (Tuesday). There were disagreements between Halevi and Katz on various issues, and Katz even forbade Halevi from appointing senior officers whose performance on October 7 was in doubt. Perhaps this tense meeting was what pushed Halevi to the edge in deciding to resign from his top position in the IDF.


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