The Media Line: ‘You Can’t Put the Military on High Alert and Fly Abroad:’ IDF Chief Cancels US Visit  

‘You Can’t Put the Military on High Alert and Fly Abroad:’ IDF Chief Cancels US Visit  

By The Media Line Staff  

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has canceled a planned visit to the United States because of Israel’s security situation and heightened military alert across all sectors, Ynet reported.  

The trip had been scheduled for mid-October.  Zamir was due to meet the commander of US Central Command and the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff for talks on military cooperation concerning Iran and other threats.  

Zamir told his American hosts that “in light of the security situation,” he did not believe he should leave Israel and oversee developments from abroad while the IDF remained on heightened alert.  

“You can’t put the military on high alert and fly abroad,” a senior IDF official said.  

Zamir reached the decision before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly warned that Israel had indications its enemies could attempt an attack ahead of the elections.  

During a visit to the Tel Nof air base, Netanyahu said in a video, “we have indications that, ahead of the elections, our enemies will try to attack us.”  

Netanyahu did not identify the enemies to whom he was referring, but warned that Israel would be able to respond wherever necessary.  

“So from here, from the Air Force base, from the long arm of Israel, I am sending you a message: Don’t mess with us not now, and not ever. Our long arm will reach you anywhere and at any time.”  

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid subsequently sought clarification from Netanyahu and requested an urgent security briefing following the prime minister’s warning.  

After receiving a late-night security briefing on Tuesday, Lapid sought to reassure the public, saying there was no reason for panic and that the elections would proceed exactly as planned.