Former IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz told Channel 2 News that he was never instructed to attack Iran. He added that he was opposed to an IDF strike against Iran and it was his stern objections that weighed in on politicians to cancel any planned attack.

When questioned about his years at the IDF’s top commander and the Iranian threat, Gantz admitted that he does believe that there were times Israel might have given the green light to attack had his opposition not been heard.

Gantz made it clear that he was firm in his objections and the nation’s leaders do hear what the chief of staff has to say. That said, he added that even if the IDF commander is opposed, the prime minister may order such a strike against his objections.

It is also reported that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak planned to attack Iran in 2012 but the plan was scrapped as a result of the stern opposition heard from both Mossad Director Meir Dagan and IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)