Says IDF would remain aggressive regarding insubordination
Photo: Amit Shaby
'We won't close down hesder yeshivas'
Chief of Staff Dan Halutz reassures yeshiva rabbis that army has no intention of closing down programs that mix army service with yeshiva study despite repeated cases of insubordination by yeshiva student-soldiers
IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz reassured hesder yeshiva rabbis on Monday that the army has no intention of closing down programs that mix army service with yeshiva study, but reiterated the IDF would not change its aggressive policy against insubordination.
He also said that he has a lot of respect for the soldiers who serve in the army in the framework of the hesder yeshiva program, adding that every rabbinic declaration against military insubordination is "crucial."
The hesder yeshiva rabbis told Halutz IDF officers should display "understanding" for the difficulties faced by religious soldiers during the Gaza pullout. Halutz, in turn, said the arrangement must be a unilateral one, adding that the disengagement would be a trying time for the religious as well as the secular sectors of society.
"The IDF does not choose its missions," he said.
Halutz told the hesder rabbis that insubordinate acts constitute a failure of the commanding officer, and asked them to have their soldiers turn to their commanders rather than to outside sources who may call upon them to refuse orders.
IDF sources said the meeting was productive.
On Sunday, the IDF began to disband a platoon comprised of hesder yeshiva soldiers after several of its members refused to evacuate anti-pullout protesters. The remaining troops were dispersed among a number of infantry units.
The first female insubordinate soldiers are schedule to go on trial Tuesday.
