Defense Minister Israel Katz informed IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir that he would reject the appointment of Col. (res.) German Gitelman, due to his involvement with Brothers in Arms and his alleged promotion of conscientious objection, Katz said Friday morning.
"Those who preach or encourage refusal will not serve in the IDF and will not be promoted to any position," he said.
Lt.-Gen. Zamir had moved to promote him to the rank of brigadier-general and appoint him commander of the Ground Forces.
The IDF announced that Zamir also met with Gitelman on Friday, where the latter clarified that he never called for defection from the military, as well as noting a video that was distributed of him that "does not accurately reflect his positions."
Gitelman then told Zamir that he would withdraw his candidacy for the appointment due to the controversy that had arisen surrounding it. Gitelman emphasized that he will continue to serve in the reserves
Zamir announced several senior IDF appointments on Thursday, despite Katz's instruction to freeze promotions until the Defense Ministry comptroller completes a review of the October 7 probe.
Gitelman is an armored corps officer who commanded Battalion 82 in the 7th Brigade, Battalion 532, served as deputy commander of the 162nd Division, and was the IDF defense attaché in Russia.
Gitelman argued that someone was misleading Katz, telling Army Radio that he was never part of the Brothers in Arms movement. "I was part of the Armored Corps Movement for the Defense of Democracy. I did not call for refusal to serve or refusal to volunteer. The press conference that was filmed included all the reservist movements – and I did not speak there about refusal," Army Radio quoted him as saying.
"Since I was discharged from the IDF, I have continued to serve in the reserves, including during the war.
"I was asked to return to permanent service – and for me, that is something important and meaningful, just as I have acted for the good of the state for 33 years until today.
"It is important that the truth come to light,” Gitelman concluded.
Brothers in Arms movement
“Israel Katz, who is advancing a draft-evasion scheme for tens of thousands of haredim, dares to disqualify a senior officer with 30 years of devoted service to the state. Gitelman, who performed dozens of reserve days even after his discharge and who reported for duty immediately on October 7, is Katz’s enemy," Brothers in Arms said following Katz's statement.
"But for draft dodgers who declare ‘we will die rather than enlist,’ he passes a draft-evasion scheme. There has never been a defense minister who harmed Israel’s security and the morale of its fighters like the ‘minister of draft dodging.’ Katz is not fighting Israel’s enemies; he is fighting the heroes who defend it.”
Brothers in Arms is a reservist-led protest movement active on military and conscription issues that has drawn political criticism. The group has also weighed in on debates over the haredi draft bill and broader civil-military strains, including against the judicial reform bill.