Brig.-Gen. Arik Ben Dov has taken over as the acting military attaché to the US, replacing Maj.-Gen. Hadi Zilberman, the IDF reported Wednesday.
Zilberman left his post several weeks ago, but no permanent replacement has been appointed due to disagreements between IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir and Defense Minister Israel Katz over who should be appointed.
As a temporary but possibly extended solution, Ben Dov has now taken office and will have a swearing-in ceremony on December 15. Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter and other officials are expected to attend the ceremony.
Zilberman is due to replace Maj.-Gen. Eyal Harel as head of IDF Planning Command on December 21.
Katz, Zamir clash over promotions
Katz is holding up the promotions of some officers in an effort to pressure Zamir into appointing his military secretary, Brig.-Gen. Guy Markizano, as the next military attaché to the US, according to some of his critics.
Zamir opposes Markizano for the job, and anonymous military sources have leaked material to the media that belittles Markizano’s reputation.
Zamir wants Brig.-Gen. Tal Polites to become the next military attaché.
Polites has served as deputy commander of the Navy and as commander of Shayetet 13, the Navy’s commando unit.
Katz has not said anything publicly against Polites.