Israel Katz, Avigdor Lieberman clash over authority to launch military operations
Katz insists the outgoing government retains full authority to conduct military operations, while Lieberman warns against decisions that could drag Israel into war without parliamentary oversight
Defense Minister Israel Katz and Defense Committee Chair Avigdor Lieberman clashed publicly on Thursday morning over where the legal authority to command the IDF rests.
Amid rumors that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was planning to launch IDF operations abroad, opposition figures called the move reckless and irresponsible, with some even calling it illegal.
Katz took to X to push back, saying: "We do not require approval from the opposition or any legal authority to direct the IDF to carry out targeted operations," before listing several possible fronts.
He reiterated that until a new government is formed, he and Netanyahu remain defense minister and prime minister and have full authority to conduct necessary security operations, describing them as "a single government responsible for decision-making regarding all matters concerning Israel’s security."
"Israel’s security is not in a state of transition, nor is it waiting upon the political processes currently unfolding in parallel."
Lieberman hit back, saying that "a transitional government is not authorized to make decisions that could drag Israel into a war—without parliamentary oversight."
He emphasized the importance of taking consensus-based decisions on security matters during this period.
The debate hinges on the interpretation of Section 40 of Basic Law: The Government – Declaration of War, which states: "The State shall not commence a war, nor shall it initiate a significant military action that is highly likely to lead to war, except by virtue of a Government decision."
It clarifies that the government must 'notify the relevant committees' as soon as possible and that the prime minister must notify the Knesset plenum as soon as possible. While Section 30 states that "the outgoing Government shall continue to perform its functions until the new Government is formed."
Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot was informed that he would receive a security briefing from the Prime Minister's Military Secretary today, following the clashes between the government and Eisenkot's bloc.