Told you so: Israel picks a pilot to head the IDF... Will Iran get the message?
Wed., February 23, 2005 Adar1 14, 5765
Ya'alon may retire early to make way for Halutz, pullout
By Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondent
IDF Chief of Staff Moshe Ya'alon may retire early in order to make way for his successor Dan Halutz, who is formally to take over just before the July 20 target date for the beginning of the disengagement, senior military sources have said.
They said Tuesday that Ya'alon feels that the current date is too close to the implementation. The final date will be agreed upon by Ya'alon and Halutz, the sources said, adding that Ya'alon may retire toward the end of June.
Maj. Gen. Halutz was named Tuesday by Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz as the next chief of staff, the first ever to advance from the ranks of the air force. The appointment must first be approved by the cabinet, where it is expected to pass without a hitch.
Halutz, 57, will be the 18th chief of staff.
Mofaz selected Halutz ahead of Maj. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, who is now expected to retire from active service.
Before he takes up his new post, Halutz is expected to begin a round of new appointments in the General Staff. He is consult with Mofaz regarding the appointments.
Ya'alon delayed making the nominations while it was still unclear whether his term of office would be extended, his rationale being that the make-up of the General Staff depended to a great extent on who was to be at the helm.
Two of the key positions to be staffed are deputy chief of staff (to replace Halutz) and intelligence chief (instead of Major General Aharon Ze'evi-Farkash, who will retire from the IDF at the end of the year).
Two of the leading candidates for these positions are former GOC Central Command Moshe Kaplinksy and GOC Northern Command Benny Gantz.
Striving to keep Ashkenazi
Military sources said Tuesday that every effort will be made "to keep Ashkenazi within the military framework." One of the possibilities being discussed is that Ashkenazi will soon be appointed director general of the Defense Ministry, in place of Amos Yaron.
Another option being weighed is that Ashkenazi will remain in the IDF as head of Military Intelligence, and will put himself forward as a possible replacement for Halutz at the end of his term. Security sources said Tuesday, however, that no concrete proposals were discussed at the conversation between Mofaz and Ashkenazi.
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