Aug 22 (Reuters) – Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak named a new head of the Jewish state’s military on Sunday, officials said, to try to end a scandal over the appointment that had caused turmoil in the military. [ID:nLDE67J0DJ]
Major-General Yoav Galant, 51, is set to succeed army chief Lieutenant-General Gabi Ashkenazi early next year. His official appointment will be brought for approval by the Israeli cabinet next week.
The promotion saga, which has dominated Israeli media, centred on allegations that Galant hired a publicist to smear his rivals in his battle to replace Ashkenazi.
Galant denied the accusation. Police said on Thursday that a leaked document at the heart of the affair was a forgery and cleared the top brass of any wrongdoing.
“Due to the current situation the appointment should be announced quickly in order to restore stability to the Israeli army,” an official quoted Barak as telling Sunday’s cabinet meeting. (Writing by Ori Lewis; Editing by Alison Williams)
