Very puzzling dismissal
IDF Chief appears to have been sent home due to personal considerations
In my view, the decision not to extend Chief-of-Staff Moshe Yaalon’s term by another year was taken for personal reasons, which technically may be “kosher,” but are nonetheless dubious.
Indeed, the defense minister and prime minister have full authority to make the decision. However, any intelligent observer, either supportive of or opposed to the army chief, realizes their considerations were mostly personal.
If that is not the case, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz must explain the uncustomary move to the public – why was the army chief sent home on the eve of one of the most difficult operations about to be imposed on the IDF?
Mofaz’ close associates claim this was a principled decision by him, namely that a chief-of-staff should not serve more than three years, similarly to the recent decision not to extend General Security Service Chief Avi Dichter’s term.
Yes is anyone with eyes in their head willing to accept this argument when it is made three months before the end of a three-year term? It’s not serious.
This type of principled decision should be taken before an army chief is appointed. Only under such circumstances is it clear that considerations were substantive and the public accepts things at face value.
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This was already done before, for example when decisions were made on the length of the presidential term, and on that of other, lower ranking officials.
On the other hand, dismissing an army chief for personal reasons could be legitimate, but only as long as it is done properly.
For example, if the defense minister and the chief-of-staff do not get along for along period of time, and the minister feels the IDF is harmed as a result, he may decide to refrain from extending the army chief’s term.
However, in such case, he should be courageous enough to say this to the public.
'This is not how it should be done'
I was critical of the current chief-of-staff on many fronts and I expressed my views on the matter. However, in the Israeli political scene there are rules, precedents, and expected conduct.
Any deviation from custom should be conditioned upon a reason that is serious, relevant, and open to the public. Otherwise, the public would lose the faith it holds in the military establishment as one that is wholly professional and only concerned with the nation’s well being.
Traditionally, army chiefs always clashed with defense ministers, but this is the first time such decision is being publicized in this manner, late at night, without an explanation to the public, followed by an apparent return to routine.
Moreover, the army chief, GSS chief, and head of the IDF’s Central Command are all being replaced at such a critical junction, when the most experienced people are needed to orchestrate one of the biggest, most complex operations in the nation’s history.
This is not how it should be done.
Amram Mitzna is a Labor party Knesset member
