PM, IDF chief welcome Israel's new generation of military officers
In speech at graduation ceremony for military officers, Netanyahu, Gantz call for wider representation of society in army. IDF chief urges: 'Come and be a part of serving the nation and the land.'
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz welcomed the Israeli military's newest officers.
"You, IDF officers, have come from all across the country," the prime minister said. "Men and women, secular and religious people, Israel born and new immigrants, Jews and non Jews. I want to see an equal representation of all factions of our society on this field. That is the right thing and the just thing – and we are working to promote (equality) these days."
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Netanyahu also addressed the issue of Iran, noting that "Iran just celebrated 35 years to the Islamic revolution, and the 'festivities' were marked with a repeated call to annihilate the State of Israel, the aspiration to destroy the Jewish people and its nation.
"That aspiration has not perished with the establishment of the State. What has changed is our ability to resist and thwart the goals of that aspiration," Netanyahu added.
He quoted Moshe Dayan, who said: "This is our life, to be prepared and armed, strong and stern, or the sword will fall out of our hands and our lives lost."
The IDF chief addressed "the right to serve," stressing: "You are the pillar of fire leading the camp and it is because of you that I urge your peers in the Israeli society: Come and be a part of serving the nation and the land."
