Rivlin, Mofaz to discuss report on Israel's readiness for September

Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin is set to meet on Tuesday with MK Shaul Mofaz over the latter's committee report criticizing Israel's preparedness for the aftermath of the Palestinian U.N. statehood bid in September.

Shaul Mofaz (Kadima) heads the influential Chairman of Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. Mofaz made headlines earlier this month when he made a statement regarding Israel's potential mobilization of its reserves for the Palestinian statehood bid in September. Defense officials claimed his comment was unfounded and Likud members were outraged at Mofaz's publication of such sensitive information.

Mofaz continued to irk Defense officials with his decision last week to freeze a NIS 620 million ($175 million) transfer to the Defense Ministry. "Shaul Mofaz is endangering Israel's security by using the committee he heads for political purposes," senior officials in the Defense Ministry said over the weekend.

Rivlin stated that the report to be released is a political document reflecting Mofaz's political views, and not the committee's. Rivlin further protested the publication of confidential information from the subcommittees that contributed to the report.

"MK Mofaz will continue to do what he believes is right for the nation and its citizens," a statement from Mofaz's office read. Following considerable criticism of the report, the report's contents may be partially classified, and won't be publicized.

The committee allowed its members to read a draft of the report on Monday. The report contains scathing criticism of the government's inadequate preparation for potential scenarios in September, committee members who saw the report said.