MK Peretz: Change initiated by Barak bad for Israel, IDF

Former defense minister says decision to shorten IDF chief's term to three years with option for one-year extension will lead to 'dependent relationship' with superiors. 'Army chief should be opinionated, have broad strategic and tactical outlook,' he adds

Roni Sofer|Published: 09.03.10 , 12:34

"Truncating incoming IDF Chief of Staff Yoav Galant's term to three years with an option for a one-year extension may be good for the defense minister (Ehud Barak), but it is bad for the IDF and the people of Israel," said Knesset Member Amir Peretz, a former defense minister.

Under Barak's method, the defense minister will decide whether or not to grant the chief of staff a one-year extension for a fourth year in the position. During Peretz's tenure as defense minister, the extension was granted automatically.

"The attempt to return to the three-plus-one model is misguided because it causes the chief of staff to be dependent on the defense minister," Peretz, a member of Barak's Labor Party, said Friday.

"Such a situation also leads to problems within the General Staff. I determined that the IDF chief's term would be four years. We must not allow such dependency. The army chief should be opinionated and have a broad strategic and tactical outlook that will allow him to come up with original ideas," said Peretz.

"Returning to the three-plus-one model may give the defense minister a sense that he has more control over the General Staff and the IIDF, but it is not beneficial to the people of Israel, the State of Israel or the army."

Peretz said that the relationship between the political echelon and the army is key in preserving Israel's democratic character. He said that during the first night of the Second Lebanon War, then army chief Dan Halutz was in favor of attacking power stations in Beirut, but followed the political echelon's order to take out long-range missiles instead.

"IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi was opposed to the development of the Iron Dome (rocket intercepting system), but followed the instructions given to him by the political echelon," the Labor MK added.