Sources close to Ashkenazi: Barack wants to Transform the Chief of Staff into a Laughingstock

"Israel's" War Minister Ehud Barack has decided not to renew the term of "Israel's" Army Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi for a year, according to media sources in Tel Aviv.

The sources also mentioned that Barack met Ashkenazi yesterday and "informed the latter of his decision not to renew his term which ends in February of next year", and added that the decision to not renew occurred in agreement with the "Israeli" Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and wasn't a decision he made alone."

The "Israeli" Radio also stated that Netanyahu said, "The Prime Minister has no objection to the decision of the Defense Minister, despite his great appreciation of General Ashkenazi", and that "Barack made it clear to Netanyahu that the replacement appointment is originally on schedule, that is, after four years on the beginning of his term, and is crucial for building a higher command for the army and opening the way for younger officers in the general command."

The decision created tidal waves in the Zionist entity, as sources close to Ashkenazi declared that Barack's decision "was aimed at insulting the chief of staff and transforming him into a lame duck."

The source added, "The matter of extended the chief of staff's term was not an issue, and he did not discuss the matter with the defense minister or the prime minister, and never asked to have his term extended. Therefore this was a peculiar announcement, since the government had decided on a four-year term. It seems the defense minister is unable to abuse the chief of staff, as past defense ministers have done, by reversing their decision on extending chief of staff's terms and making other decisions."

Sources well acquainted with the Barak-Ashkenazi relationship have recently noted that ties have been tense between the two, partially due to the chief of staff's stance on sensitive issues. There are also those in the political establishment that believe Barak is threatened by Ashkenazi's popularity, both among the public, and in the military.

Ashkenazi himself later issued a statement saying: "I wish to clarify that I never turned to the prime minister and the defense minister and asked for an additional year in office."

He noted that the government decision according to which a chief of staff is to serve for four years in office is worthy and just, adding "I don't see the point in discussing it."

Measnwhile, former "Israeli" War Minister Amir Peretz criticized Wednesday his successor, Ehud Barak, for his announcement of the end of the chief of staff's term, YNetNews reported.

"We must do everything possible in order to prevent a witch hunt following the decision about (Gabi) Ashkenazi," Peretz, told Ynet. However Peretz said he does not support the extension of Ashkenazi's term for a fifth year. "A change in the decision made in my time, on the setting of a four-year term, should only be made in extreme circumstances," he said.

But the race has already kicked off, as YNetNews reported "a quiet struggle between the candidates is expected to take place", adding that there are two prominent candidates likely to take his place: Deputy Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Benny Gantz and Southern Command chief Maj.-Gen. Yoav Galant.