Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi said Wednesday evening that an Israel Defense Forces officer who sees an Israeli citizen planning to throw a Molotov cocktail into a Palestinian house and stands on the side as it happens, cannot be an officer.
At a graduation ceremony of the combat officers course, he first told the soldiers: "The IDF is a defending army that wins thanks to the professionalism of its soldiers and the leadership of its commanders. The commander in the IDF leads by personal example, commanding from the front."
This is why I am proud to be Israeli 🇮🇱
— Emily Schrader - אמילי שריידר امیلی شریدر (@emilykschrader) June 28, 2023
“An IDF officer who stands by when seeing an Israeli citizen planning to throw a molotov cocktail at a Palestinian house cannot be an officer.” - IDF Chief of Staff Herzl Halevi pic.twitter.com/fJ2igFskSh
According to him, "When he is at the head of his command, he trusts them and they trust him, he is never alone. Your most important test from now on is to be the first. To move forward in the face of fire, and to lead your men until the mission is completed. This is the test for which the course you have just completed has prepared you, and for which you will be required from now on in all border defense tasks, in countering terrorism, and in war."
The Chief of Staff referred to riots by extremists in Arab villages: "Around these missions, you will also encounter complex challenges, terrorism and its severe consequences lead some people to commit morally and legally prohibited acts. An officer who sees an Israeli citizen intending to throw a Molotov cocktail into a Palestinian house and stands by cannot be an officer. This is our way, this is our strength here compared to the complex region in which we live and we must not erode this."
🇮🇱 — IDF: IDF Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi at the ceremony for the conclusion of the Ground Forces Combat Officers Course:
— Belaaz News (@TheBelaaz) June 28, 2023
“An IDF officer who stands by when seeing an Israeli citizen planning to throw a molotov cocktail at a Palestinian house cannot be an… pic.twitter.com/1aDJqRxhlx
Finally, he referred to the attack against Brigadier General Binyamin Eliav Elbaz over his crackdown on Jewish violence towards Arabs: "Anyone who criticizes the IDF should remember that even an apology after the fact does not cancel the great damage caused. The IDF acts solely for the security of the citizens, hence its authority. The attack on those who dedicate their lives to protect harms the security of the citizens."
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant signs 4 administrative arrest warrants for settlers who attacked Palestinian citizens.
— Fátima Azzahra Elhalaoui فاطمة الزهراء الحلوي (@fzhalaoui) June 28, 2023
The Chief of Staff’s statements come after Defense Minister Yoav Gallant signed administrative arrest warrants for four Israeli extremists who are suspected of violence against Palestinians in the village of A-Sharkia near Nablus. An official in the Ministry of Defense announced the orders before they were delivered to the lawyers. The four are known to the Israeli security forces, Gallant signed the administrative arrest warrants on the recommendation of the Shin Bet, which pointed out their danger.
