These are fateful days for Israeli society – and for the future of the IDF. The model of the Israeli military as the people’s army is in serious danger of dissolution.
The “blame game” is less important than the responsibility to repair the situation. Here there is no question: the responsibility lies with the government, both because it initiated the changes, and because the ability to reach agreements and make any amends are in its hands alone.
Information overload makes it difficult at times to understand the reality, but we must make sense of the facts. The issue before us is not refusing an order or insubordination, rather, stopping to volunteer – and this is how it should be seen. The ability of the IDF to fulfill its missions rests on its complete set of systems and relies heavily on volunteerism – from among pilots and naval officers to officers in the ground forces and special units. Involving the IDF as a means of public pressure is a recourse for Judgment Day, or a doomsday weapon. And as with nuclear weapons – in the end, everyone loses.
This is the last chance to stop. As one who loves the IDF and fears for its future, I call on the government to stop the unilateral legislation immediately, and call on all sides to strive to reach a broad agreement.
These are fateful days for Israeli society – and for the future of the IDF. The model of the Israeli military as the people’s army is in serious danger of dissolution.
The “blame game” is less important than the responsibility to repair the situation. Here there is no question: the responsibility lies with the government, both because it initiated the changes, and because the ability to reach agreements and make any amends are in its hands alone.
Information overload makes it difficult at times to understand the reality, but we must make sense of the facts. The issue before us is not refusing an order or insubordination, rather, stopping to volunteer – and this is how it should be seen. The ability of the IDF to fulfill its missions rests on its complete set of systems and relies heavily on volunteerism – from among pilots and naval officers to officers in the ground forces and special units. Involving the IDF as a means of public pressure is a recourse for Judgment Day, or a doomsday weapon. And as with nuclear weapons – in the end, everyone loses.
This is the last chance to stop. As one who loves the IDF and fears for its future, I call on the government to stop the unilateral legislation immediately, and call on all sides to strive to reach a broad agreement.