国际英语新闻：Israeli defense minister names new army chief

The document was allegedly ordered and paid by Galant, who immediately denied any connection to the widening scandal, as did the public relations chief Eyal Arad. Arad Communications' logo is at the top of the document.

The Israel Police launched an investigation and has questioned a long list of senior officers, including IDF General Staff officers. Investigators said last Thursday that they had evidence proving that the document was most likely a forgery.

Galant reportedly claimed on Wednesday that foes at IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv conspired against him in the fierce competition for the top spot, and prepared the document. Israeli Army Radio on Sunday reported that Ashkenazi has a close relationship with Boaz Harpaz, who may be a suspect in the forgery.

"The worst part of this affair is that it affects our most important asset -- the belief and support of the people of Israel, " Ashkenazi said during a graduation ceremony for officers held on Wednesday.

The Israeli premier had called on the IDF brass to "stop dealing with the investigation" and continue their cooperation with the Defense Ministry.

Galant, 52, began his military career as a commando and officer in the "Shayetet 13" naval special operations unit. The highly- regarded seaborne unit raided a Gaza-bound aid flotilla on May 31, killing nine passengers in a pitched battle with armed activists aboard one of the vessels.