⚖️ FINANCE MINISTRY AND IDF CLASH OVER MILITARY ADVOCATE GENERAL RETIREMENT TERMS: According to reporting cited by Amit Segal from Ynet, the Finance Ministry acknowledged freezing retirement payments due to the dismissed Military Advocate General after she complained about the move.
Finance Ministry professionals reportedly argued that Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir’s decision to remove only special pension increases still left her with exceptionally generous retirement terms while criminal proceedings remain unresolved. Zamir was reportedly furious over the Finance Ministry’s action, with the dispute estimated to involve millions of shekels.
Segal also cited an Accountant General letter opposing elements of the arrangement, including IDF funding for Tomer-Yerushalmi’s lawyer, and raising concern about linking a potential plea agreement to retirement terms without a legal basis.
Segal argued that the law denies a pension to someone expelled from military service and questioned why the IDF sought an agreement rather than awaiting a judicial ruling. He also questioned the military’s decision to turn to the Justice Ministry after the Finance Ministry objected, alleging a conflict of interest in the ministry’s previous handling of the affair.
Against the broader budget dispute, Zamir issued a statement warning that the IDF is being forced to fight “a battle over the budget” while personnel are stretched across multiple fronts. He said “empty coffers” harm military readiness and stressed that safeguarding Israel’s security remains the IDF’s sole consideration.
🕯️ ATTORNEY GENERAL’S STAFF ORDERS CANCELLATION OF RABBI OVADIA YOSEF MEMORIAL: The Attorney General’s staff ordered the cancellation of a legally mandated memorial ceremony for Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, reasoning that his identification with Shas could make the event election propaganda even without political speeches.
The director-general of the Religious Services Ministry argued that the decision contradicts the law and said that, by the same reasoning, the Rabin memorial should also be canceled because of Rabin’s association with the left and Labor Party.
Shas strongly condemned the decision, calling it an affront to Rabbi Ovadia Yosef’s memory and a violation of legislation unanimously approved by the Knesset. The party said it would use all available legal means to overturn the decision.
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