Netanyahu: Disobedience will cause State to collapse

"There is no place for disobedience and we shall employ every method to eradicate it," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday referring to an incident in which Nachshon Battalion soldiers held a sign in protest of building evacuation in the Negohot settlement.

Netanyahu made the statements during a visit to the Navy base in Haifa. "Israel Defense Forces are based on the concept of command hierarchy.

"If you wish to dismiss the IDF – promote disobedience, which could lead to the State's collapse. The army leans on the right to give and receive orders," the prime minister said.

IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Gabi Ashkenazi, who accompanied Netanyahu in the visit, said that the IDF is dealing with the phenomenon with a firm hand.

"There is no place for disobedience and rebelliousness in the army," Ashkenazi stated and thanked the prime minister for his words. "I trust the Kfir Brigade commander in dealing with the phenomenon."

The statements were made in the wake of a political protest on Monday by soldiers of the Nachshon Battalion following the razing of buildings in the Negohot settlement in south Mount Hebron. The soldiers held a sign which read, "Nachshon doesn't evict Jews either."

The IDF issued a statement Monday which read, "The soldiers' action is prohibited by its very foundation and is in opposition to the military's values. Any attempt to involve the IDF in the political discourse is inappropriate."

Nachshon soldiers hold contentious sign (Photo: Asaf Farid)

Earlier on Tuesday, four soldiers who were involved in the protest stood trial and received punishment. Two soldiers were sentenced to 20 and 24 days in military prison, while the two others were given 28 days in detention. On Monday two additional soldiers were tried and sentenced to 30 days in jail for their involvement.

Kfir Brigade commander Colonel Oren Avman, said Monday that the two would be demoted and would no longer be able to serve as combat soldiers or to hold officers' posts in the future.

Last month Colonel Abman tried two army cadets for waving a sign reading "we won't evacuate Homesh" during an induction ceremony at the Western Wall. The soldiers were sentenced to 20 days in military prison. In light of the gravity of the affair, it was decided to expel the soldiers from the brigade. It is estimated that after they finish their time in prison they would not be able to reassume combat status.

'Israel not Iran's last target'

During his tour of the site Netanyahu was asked by one of the soldiers about the Iranian threat. "The threat that Iran poses is serious, both to the State of Israel, and to the Middle East and world stability. Let there be no doubt, we are the first target, but certainly not the last."

In the same context the prime minister addressed recent meetings he has held in Paris and Washington: "Based on the talks I recently held with President Obama in the United States and with Sarkozy in France, I can guarantee that there is growing recognition (of the situation) in the international community.

Iran's nuclear armament program must be stopped, and not just for reason that concern us. We are working on this and expect the international community to operate determinedly against the Iranians' refusal to respond to the demands and the commitments they have taken upon themselves."

Netanyahu also told the fighters that he considers the Navy an important strategic arm of the IDF, and said in response to a soldier's question that draft dodging must be fought and that more privileges should be given to those who serve in the army.