Almog Cohen, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, has called on Defense Minister Israel Katz to summon Israeli Air Force Commander Tomer Bar for questioning after a video of him emerged shaking a protester's hands outside his home.
Cohen's appeal comes after a video, shared on social media earlier on Tuesday, showed a demonstration outside Bar’s home calling for an end to the war in Gaza. In the video, Bar was seen shaking hands with an individual holding a sign that reads “Death Eater government.”
In his statement, Cohen expressed doubt that Bar, as commander of the IAF, would support the message on the sign. He said, "I find it hard to believe that the Air Force Commander agrees with what’s written there, especially when his soldiers and commanders are working to defend the country on behalf of that government."
Cohen also emphasized the importance of political neutrality within the IDF: "I believe it’s essential to remind everyone that IDF commanders and soldiers must maintain political neutrality, in the name of democracy and to preserve the state we established, thanks to those who have fallen and the heroes who paved the way."
Bar suspends IAF members who signed anti-war letter
In April, Bar ordered the suspension of reserve service for the air force members who signed the letter calling for the return of the hostages from Gaza - even if this required an immediate cessation of fighting.
"We demand the return of the hostages home without delay, even at the cost of stopping the fighting," the signatories wrote, adding that "the war serves political and personal interests, while only an agreement can bring back the hostages safely."