Sara Netanyahu on "Israeli" army chief: “I told my husband not to appoint him”

Sara Netanyahu, wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, expressed strong opposition to the appointment of Israeli Occupation Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, reportedly telling a confidant, “I knew Eyal Zamir wouldn’t be able to handle media pressure. I told my husband he must not appoint him." 

Her comments, reported by Channel 12’s Yaron Avraham, come amid growing tensions between the government and the military leadership over the direction of the Gaza war.

Days before her remarks came to light, her son Yair Netanyahu launched a public attack on Zamir. In response to a journalist’s post criticizing the government’s war policy, Yair accused Zamir of being behind a “rebellion and attempted military coup” and dismissed claims that his father had insisted on the appointment, saying Defense Minister Yisrael Katz was responsible.

Katz confirmed he had recommended Zamir, citing his experience and capabilities, and defended his performance as chief of staff, particularly his leadership in operations against Hamas and Iran.

The controversy deepened following reports of a tense exchange between Zamir and Prime Minister Netanyahu over the planned full occupation of Gaza. Zamir reportedly warned that such a move would endanger captives and strain the army, calling it a “trap.” Netanyahu pushed back, instructing Zamir to revise and present the occupation plans to the cabinet.