Police minister, IOF Chief of Staff have heated dispute in Cabinet

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
19 Dec 2023 19:29
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Israeli media reports that the Chief of Staff snapped at Ben-Gvir after the latter criticized the decision to relieve Israeli soldiers of their duties for desecrating a mosque in Jenin.

Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir arrives to attend the weekly cabinet meeting at the prime minister's office in Occupied Palestine, Sunday, July 9, 2023 (AP)

Israeli media reported today, that a heated dispute broke out between the Israeli Minister of the Police, Itamar Ben-Gvir, and the Chief of Staff of the Israeli Occupation Forces, Herzi Halevi during the cabinet meeting.

The dispute reportedly escalated into a violent verbal exchange.

Israeli media mentioned that Ben Gvir had slammed the decision to relieve all soldiers, who had performed "Talmudic prayers in a mosque" in Jenin, of their operational duties: affirming that the political establishment should be responsible for such a decision.

Israeli occupation forces violate the sanctity of a Muslim mosque, mocking the #Muslim call for prayer, as per an Israeli Telegram channel.#Palestine #Jenin pic.twitter.com/yOIUsMqub3
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) December 14, 2023

In response, Halevi replied to Ben Gvir, saying, "You are mistaken; I decide what is ethical and what is not in the army. Don't threaten me."

At that point, Ben Gvir added, "Woe to us if they [the soldiers who were withdrawn from operational duty] do not return to service, woe to us."

Last week, footage of Israeli occupation forces desecrating a mosque in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin flooded social media platforms.

Haaretz reported that an Israeli occupation soldier was captured on video singing a song celebrating the Jewish Hanukkah holiday from within the Mosque premises after Muslim worshippers were forcibly evicted from the site.