Brig.-Gen. Oren Solomon spoke on Wednesday at a ceremony commemorating the victims of the Nova music festival, referring to his team’s investigations into October 7 and accusing the IDF, under the command of former chief of staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi, of covering up the findings.
"Halevi called me into his office as part of the Nova investigations," he said. "I presented him with the draft report and told him that the investigation would not give the Israeli people the answers they deserve. I told him that the IDF is covering up the investigations, undermining public and commanders' trust."
Solomon added that he sent a letter to the then-IDF chief of staff with his comments regarding the investigation, and upon receiving it, Halevi ordered an investigation into him.
The investigation, according to Solomon, "had no basis, exceeded authority, and was meant to neutralize me in the future."
"They succeeded in intimidating senior officers, but eventually everyone came forward," he continued.
He also said investigators raided his home in front of all of his children, confiscated all media devices, and summoned him for questioning.
Salomon recounted his experience on October 7, in which he and his son fought for ten hours. "My son left his ten-month-old daughter at home, and he is not even a combat soldier," he said.
Solomon calls Oct. 7 investigation a 'national scandal'
"I led and commanded the Gaza Division's combat efforts during the most difficult hours. The same day, I asked to take a polygraph test, but they waited three months before letting me take it."
The investigation on Solomon was "tainted from start to finish by the military prosecution," he claimed. "You have no idea what kinds of questions they asked me. This is an attempt to neutralize a senior officer. This is a national scandal, an attempt at a cover-up.
I call on IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir. There is severe harm being done to IDF soldiers and a devastating blow to IDF commanders. Every officer in the IDF should know: do not tell the truth, especially if it harms the IDF. The IDF stands behind you in battle, but against you when you speak the truth."