Major General Aharon Haliva at the changing of the guard ceremony (video clip)

Outgoing IDF Intel Chief Haliva Accepts Blame for Oct. 7 Failure, Resigns

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The Judean Staff
National

In a dramatic and soul-searching address, Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva, the outgoing commander of the IDF’s Intelligence Directorate (Aman), delivered a heartfelt and intense mea culpa on Wednesday. As he passed the baton to his successor, Maj. Gen. Shlomi Binder, Haliva did not mince words, laying bare the gravity of the intelligence failures that culminated in the catastrophic events of October 7, a day now seared into the national memory as one of the darkest in Israel's history.

"On that Shabbat, we failed in the most sacred and crucial duty entrusted to us – to forewarn before the storm of war," Haliva began, his voice heavy with the weight of responsibility. This moment marked not just a routine handover of duties but a profound moment of reckoning for a man who had overseen the Intelligence Directorate during what is widely regarded as one of Israel’s most severe intelligence lapses.

The ceremony itself was tinged with a somber acknowledgment of the stakes involved. The transition from Haliva, whose tenure will forever be shadowed by the October 7 debacle, to Maj. Gen. Binder, a man stepping into the role amidst a maelstrom of controversy and expectations, was far from ordinary. It was a reminder of the brutal realities of military leadership, where the cost of failure is measured in lives lost and national security compromised.

Haliva, the first among the IDF’s top echelon to step down in the wake of the Oct. 7 disaster, shouldered the burden of failure with a remarkable display of humility and accountability. "The immense responsibility for Aman’s failure rests entirely with me," he declared, embodying a code of conduct that places action above words. "Accepting responsibility is something one demonstrates through deeds, not mere rhetoric."

With a tone that conveyed both regret and resolve, Haliva reflected on the fateful day that forever altered his legacy and that of Israel’s intelligence apparatus. "On October 7, Simchat Torah, that dark and cursed day that weighs heavily on my heart, we failed to uphold the sanctity of our oath," he admitted, his words resonating with the collective anguish of a nation.

Haliva’s departure from the IDF is not just a resignation; it is an embodiment of the values he was raised on and those he imparted to countless soldiers and commanders under his charge. "The ultimate responsibility for the failure of the Intelligence Division rests on my shoulders. My decision to end my duties and retire from the IDF is rooted in the very principles that have guided me throughout my career – the expectation that leaders must lead from the front, particularly in times of crisis."

But Haliva’s resignation was not just about personal accountability. He also issued a clarion call for a state commission to investigate the failures that led to October 7, urging for a "thorough and deep examination of the causes that precipitated this war." His message was clear: Israel must learn from this tragedy to ensure that such a failure never happens again.

Stepping into Haliva’s shoes is Maj. Gen. Shlomi Binder, a seasoned commander who now faces the monumental task of restoring faith in the IDF’s intelligence capabilities. Binder’s inaugural speech as the new head of Aman was both a sobering assessment of Israel’s current security challenges and a blueprint for the future.

He did not shy away from naming Israel's foremost threat: the Iranian regime. "The danger posed by Iran is not merely nuclear," Binder warned, his words underscoring the multifaceted and ever-present menace posed by the Islamic Republic. "Iran is at our borders, and we must treat this reality with the seriousness it demands, not just in rhetoric but in practical terms. They threaten us directly and relentlessly."

Binder’s focus on the Iranian threat was not just rhetorical flourish. He pointed to the proliferation of Iranian weapons across the region, used by Israel’s enemies in Gaza, Lebanon, and beyond. "It matters little whether a missile is launched from Tehran, Beirut, or Gaza. In the end, it is Iranian in origin, and that is the reality we must contend with."

In a subtle but pointed critique of recent failures, Binder emphasized the need for vigilance and adaptability within the intelligence community. "We must constantly scrutinize the reality around us," he urged. "Listen closely, be willing to change, and embrace change. We must have the courage to ask difficult questions and the humility to listen to diverse opinions."

Binder’s appointment, however, has not been without its share of controversy. His previous role as the head of the Operations Directorate during the October 7 invasion drew criticism for the IDF’s sluggish and ineffective response. Yet, in a strong endorsement of Binder’s capabilities, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi defended the choice with unwavering confidence. "I scrutinized your actions on October 7, from every angle, and found them to be guided by wisdom, responsibility, integrity, and self-reflection," Halevi assured Binder.

"You were chosen because Aman needs an exceptional leader, especially now, more than ever. You were chosen because you are the right person for this challenging and vital role in the service of the State of Israel," Halevi emphasized, setting a high bar for Binder as he takes the reins during one of the most tumultuous periods in Israel's recent history.

This transition marks not just a change in leadership but a pivotal moment for Israel's security establishment. The stakes are higher than ever, and the path forward demands not only courage and resolve but also an unyielding commitment to learning from the past to protect the future.

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