Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant canceled a lecture by former prime minister Ehud Barak at an Israel Defense Forces’ military academy due to the latter’s role in encouraging Israelis to refuse reserve duty to protest against the government, Channel 14 News reported on Monday.
Barak, who plays a leading role in the movement seeking to bring down Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, was invited to address soldiers at the Israel National Defense College, which is located north of Tel Aviv and prepares senior IDF staff for command and management roles.
Following significant backlash on social media, sources in the Defense Ministry told Channel 14 correspondent Yishai Friedman that “anyone who calls for refusal of any kind will not be part of the ranks of the IDF.”
The Barak’s invitation had been criticized by Minister for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Amichai Chikli, who said on Sunday, “In the midst of a difficult war…the lead instigator of political refusals [to serve] is invited to give a lecture to senior officers.”
Chikli, who also serves as a lawmaker for Netanyahu’s ruling Likud Party in the Knesset, called the invitation “an unprecedented scandal.”
Barak, a former Labor Party leader, served as the IDF chief of staff from 1991 to 1995. He also served as defense minister in governments led by Ehud Olmert and Benjamin Netanyahu.
In February, Barak called on the Israeli public to “besiege” parliament to force elections and bring down Netanyahu.
The former premier told Army Radio that “30,000 citizens need to camp outside the Knesset in tents for three weeks, day and night,” until “the country shuts down [and] Netanyahu realizes that his time is up.”
Barak called for demonstrators to “separate from the [anti-judicial reform] protest movement” and declared that elections “must not wait” until after the war with Hamas.
The Likud Party on Tuesday renewed calls for Barak to be prosecuted under sedition laws, submitting a request to Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara to order a police investigation into his remarks.
On Sunday, opposition groups kicked off a “Week of Disruption” meant to force elections within four months. Eran Schwartz, the CEO of Blue and White Future, an NGO linked to Barak, said rallies would continue until a coalition with “a desire to do good to the people” is elected.
Authorities arrested nine people at an anti-government demonstration near Netanyahu’s Yerushalayim apartment on Monday night after they tried to break through a barrier at the premier’s residence, local media said.
Another rally will take place at the Knesset on Tuesday, followed by an event in Israel’s south on Wednesday night. On Thursday, more protests will be held near Netanyahu’s Yerushalayim and Caesarea residences.
{Matzav.com}
A sick puppy.
like many baracks
Barak should be hung for treason.
He shouldnt be allowed to speak anywhere. a Saudi would’ve had his tongue removed.guess the miserable dog will now be invited to speak in the senate
Barak was on that list… which means he was dealt with.