Premier Levi Eshkol has issued an order, in his capacity of Defense Minister, forbidding senior army commanders from making public statements of a political-military nature.
The order reportedly was issued after adverse comments provoked by recent statements of a number of generals, including Chief of Staff Yitzhak Rabin, dealing with the Syrian situation. The statements had evoked protests from the Mapam Party, a member of Premier Eshkol’s coalition, and other political groups, and from most Israeli newspapers.
The order, which was issued several days ago, was seen in political circles as a continuation of a policy followed by David Ben-Gurion and Pinhas Lavon when they served as Defense Ministers. The order means that senior army officers will have to present proposed speeches and interviews, before they are released, to the Army spokesman, to other competent authorities, for review.
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