TEL AVIV - A civil war would not break out, and those who encourage it are endangering the country’s existence, Vice Premier Shimon Peres said during a special online chat with Ynet readers.
“I do not believe the settlers are interested in a civil war either,” he said.
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When asked by a Ynet reader why IDF soldiers remain exposed to “settler propaganda” that results in acts of insubordination,
Peres said, “It’s a scandal. There are no political parties in the army, and that is why the soldiers cannot be protected in a democratic manner. The attempt by rabbis to incorporate politics into IDF is disastrous.”
“The rabbis are neither a political nor a security authority, and therefore they are violating the trust of their position,” he said. “To the soldiers I say: It is your duty to follow orders. We remain united as long as we have one army that must not be divided.”
As to the recent surge in teen and overall violence in the country, Peres said the country should first and foremost focus on education, as well as strengthen its justice system and police.
He said he expects that the next election would take place in November 2006 at the latest, adding that according to recent polls the Labor party is gaining on the ruling Likud.
“If we (Labor) will be successful at forming a unified team that will work together, our situation will be great,” he said.
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