Ex-Netanyahu security advisor to i24NEWS: Israeli war law ‘reckless’

A major Israel security official has criticized the recent decision by Knesset to pass what is known as the ‘War Law,’ which allows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare war on another country with only the consultation of his defense minister, calling the rule “reckless.”

Professor Uzi Arad, the former National Security Advisor for Netanyahu and Chairman of National Security Council was on i24NEWS’ ‘The Spin Room’ with host Ami Kaufman to discuss the relationship between Netanyahu and Iran, the recent War Law and Trump’s ‘May Madness’ policy onslaught.

“It is reckless,” Arad said,” You don’t do such fundamental changes in authorities on peace and war almost in a fit of absent mindedness.”

On Monday, the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, voted 62-41 in favor of the law. Critics of the bill in the Knesset said that the new rule would take away all oversight on matters relating to war from the lawmaking body and effectively give two people free reign over heavily consequential decisions.

The law states that in “extreme circumstances,” military operations can be authorized by the prime minister and defense minister, without the approval of other cabinet ministers. Part of the issue with the law, critics say, is that the law does not elaborate on what circumstance qualify as “extreme” and provides Netanyahu with an opportunity to attack Iran carte blanche.

However, when addressing Netanyahu’s presentation on Iran, Arad was more complementary to the prime minister. “Many Israelis including those who are his hardline supporters are very proud of Mr. Netanyahu. He is head and shoulders above any Israeli personality,” he said.

“He is an asset in that respect.”