DAY 262 OF THE WAR: Eisenkot Contradicts Netanyahu, Submarine Commission Says Evidence Indicates Netanyahu Undermined Israel's Security and Economy, Antisemitism in LA

Tel Aviv Diary, June 24, 2024

Repercussions from Netanyahu's TV interview last night continue to unfold. In the interview, Netanyahu stated that he would agree only to a partial deal to bring back some of the hostages, after which Israel would resume the war to achieve total victory. This afternoon, at this year’s Herzliya Conference (the annual security summit held at Reichmann University), former IDF Chief of Staff Eisenkot, who had been a member of the war cabinet until last week, was interviewed and clarified,

There was never a discussion of one deal only and leaving the others. The only deals that were discussed were one deal for every one or two stages. Never anything that he said last night." He added, "What I have seen with Netanyahu is a lack of leadership. Netanyahu has failed to get back the hostages. I have a hard time saying that Netanyahu is undermining a deal, but he is clearly not getting it done.

MK Eisenkot went on to say that one of the reasons we have not advanced to the third stage of warfare in Gaza is because Netanyahu is afraid to do so, fearing backlash from his coalition partners if we proceed. Eisenkot also stated that failing to draft the Haredim harms Israel’s defense capabilities. Regarding Iran, Eizenkot emphasized our need to get out of Gaza and start dealing with Iran, which he described as our primary enemy. Additionally, Eisenkot hinted that he thinks our response to the recent attack by Iran was not sufficiently robust.

Netanyahu stated tonight in the Knesset that he still supports the Biden plan. This marks the first time Netanyahu has publicly expressed support for what had ironically been called “the Netanyahu Plan.” The State Department welcomed Netanyahu’s clarification.

GAZA

While it has been a tranquil day in the North, fighting in Gaza continues in Rafah. Hamas launched two rockets at Ashkelon, both of which were intercepted. Three additional rockets were fired along the Gaza border

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The IDF Chief of Staff was in the Rafah today and said the following to the troops:

We have had great achievements in our fighting in Rafah. I tell you this with great appreciation. This success is evident in the number of terrorists killed, the destroyed infrastructure, as well as the underground operations, including the mapping, the destruction, and the progress made in the complex underground warfare. The fact that Division 162 now controls the Philadelphia Corridor from the sea to the Israel-Gaza-Egypt border triangle is very significant in cutting off Hamas's future smuggling routes, and we are now dealing with underground assets.

We are clearly approaching the point where we can say we have dismantled the Rafah Brigade. It is defeated, not in the sense that there are no more terrorists, but in the sense that it can no longer function as a fighting unit. Hamas’s Rafah Brigade has suffered many casualties, and you must ensure, until the mission is completed here, to kill as many terrorists as possible and destroy as much infrastructure as possible.

You have my great appreciation. What is happening here is very impressive professionally, keep it up.

Mohammad El-Atrash

Tonight, it was announced that Mohamad El Atrash, who was believed to have been taken captive by Hamas, was actually killed on October 7th, and his body was taken to Gaza

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RETURN OF THE SUBMARINE CONTROVERSY

This morning, Israel received new information regarding a longstanding controversy. The National Commission of Inquiry into the purchase of submarines and Frigates issued warnings to Prime Minister Netanyahu, former Mossad director Yossi Cohen, former Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon, former Navy commander Ram Rutberg, and former National Security Council employee Avner Simhoni.

The Commission stated directed towards the action of Prime Minister Netanyahu and the others.

This decision cannot be concluded without addressing the difficult days that the State of Israel has been experiencing since October 7. Particularly against the backdrop of the complex security challenges that the state is facing during this period, it is important to make orderly decisions on national security issues, including force building.

The Commission added:

The picture emerging before the committee at this stage indicates that there has been a deep disruption in work processes and decision-making mechanisms on a number of sensitive issues. This has created a risk to national security and has harmed Israel's foreign relations and economic interests.

Here are some of the other initial conclusions of the Commission of Inquiry:

• Force-Design initiatives were proposed by the political echelon and the National Security Council (NSC) without consideration of security needs and ignoring budgetary constraints.

• Force-design initiatives overlooked the implications for military readiness to address security challenges in the short and long term, as well as the State of Israel's other needs.

• The NSC transformed from a staff body to an executive arm of the Prime Minister, operating parallel to and in contradiction with the Ministry of Defense and within the Ministry of Defense's areas of responsibility and expertise.

• The Navy collaborated with the NSC and the political echelon with the aim of strengthening the Navy at the expense of other security needs, bypassing the IDF and the Ministry of Defense.

• The issue of selling German submarines to a third party was handled chaotically, through parallel channels, without monitoring the implementation of decisions, and while concealing information from relevant parties.

• Sensitive diplomatic negotiations were conducted unprofessionally, recklessly, without coordination, and without a defined political line.

• The eagerness to advance procurement and disrupt orderly processes damaged Israel's bargaining power and resulted in economic losses estimated at billions of shekels.

• The defense establishment and the Navy exploited the need to protect gas reserves to expand the fleet without impacting the defense budget, presenting the ships as solely intended for the protection of gas rigs.

• Immediately after the government approved the procurement of dedicated ships to protect gas reserves, the Navy, together with the NSC and, at some point, the defense establishment, acted contrary to the government's decision and purchased different (larger and more expensive) ships than those approved.

WHAT IS THE “SUBMARINE AFFAIR”?

A bit of background… “The Submarine Affair,” first exposed seven years ago by Channel 13’s veteran investigative journalist Ravid Drucker, revolves around three factors—first, the decision to purchase additional submarines that Israel might not need. Second, the authorization granted by Netanyahu— without consultation and unbeknownst to the defense establishment—allowed the German manufacturer to sell an advanced submarine version previously exclusive to Israel. Third, the decision to acquire much larger ships than the navy had requested. All of these actions involved a German shipbuilder in which Netanyahu had an indirect interest. Several other individuals have already faced trial for bribery in related cases.