IDF Chief: ‘The Army Must Be Worthy of the People’s Trust, by Nissan Ratzlav-Katz (Israel National News)
“I am confident in the ability of the IDF to carry out any mission it will be assigned.”— Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi
Full Text:
The IDF Chief of General Staff, Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, said on Wednesday evening that the army is implementing lessons learned during the 2006 war in Lebanon. He also expressed his confidence in its ability to carry out any mission that it is assigned. Ashkenazi was speaking before an annual gathering in honor of the military’s outstanding non-commissioned officers.
Lt.-Gen. Ashkenazi told the assembled NCOs and their families that the army is “improving the preparedness and operational fitness of all of the IDF units, in the headquarters and in the field, in order to provide the best possible response to all potential threats – even as effective combat against terrorism continues.”
“We must assure the continued existence of a strong, combative, trained and winning army, in order to be worthy of the people’s trust,” the Chief of Staff declared.
Addressing the outstanding NCOs directly, Lt.-Gen. Ashkenazi said, “Your mission is not over. The IDF needs you for the complex mission of implementing the lessons of the war, strengthening the units and systems that were damaged, and improving preparedness and deployment to meet the challenges of tomorrow. I am confident in the ability of the IDF to carry out any mission it will be assigned, in order to ensure the security of the State of Israel, its residents and citizens; and I know that you will continue to be with us, on the front lines of activity, in those future missions, as well.”
In his remarks, the Chief of Staff emphasized that despite the need for applying the lessons learned during the recent Lebanon war, “we must remember and remind others about the war’s achievements, the impressive ability of IDF combat soldiers, the officers and soldiers who stood out on the front lines and on the home front, and those who displayed determination and initiative. War debriefings are revealing incredible stories of comradeship under fire, of determination, commitment, faith. They are revealing many cases of initiative, heroism, taking responsibility and examples of leadership in acts of true self-sacrifice.
Lt.-Gen. Ashkenazi also took a moment to mention those who fell in the line of duty, those who were wounded, and “the worried families, the families whose sons have not returned. The IDF is committed to doing everything in order to bring them home.”
Commentary;
As this blog’s title indicates; Chief of Staff Ashkenazi is confident of the IDF’s ability to handle ANY mission. Yet in saying that, he says nothing about the expulsion of Jews from Gush Katif, from Amona and from parts of Chevron or recently from Homesh and Peretz’s current attempt to expel Jews from the Jewish-owned Peace House between Chevron and Kiryat Arba. By his silence, is he therefore complicit in any future Regime expulsion, from any future attempt by the Regime to make another part of Eretz Yisrael Yudenrein? MB