Because if he ever so much as flicked a bouger, he's toast if Micha "I wanna be king of the Jews" Lindstraus decides to comptrol his ass.

The only thing I have to say is that the Minister of Defence made a real big mess up of this appointment because of a personal grievance against Major General Ashkanazi. His behaviour towards the out going head of the IDF (Ashkenazi was ine of the best we have ever had) was disgusting to say the least. Barak behaved like a spoilt child who would do anything to get his way, even if his way was wrong. I wish the incoming Chief of Staff much success and hope that Barak will stay out of his hair.

Wanted this guy from the start, of course Ashkenazy did a great job!

How could they even have considered Galant. How can a chief of staff lecture soldiers on the values of truth integrity and honour when he himself is none of those. Mazal Tov to Benny Galant - I'm rooting for you man!

In 2006 General Benny Gantz described the settlers as a more dangerous enemy than the Hezbollah

Why cant the Generals in Israel Chose their Military Comander and Leader ? First the DM - a Politician - Choses the Military Leader, if that was the Right One - this second cant be the Right One. If the First chosen Military Leader of the DM a Politician, if that was the Wrong One, why give a Politician the DM opportunity to chose again ?. Politicians should not be the Ones to Chose the Highest Military Leader, those best for that task is the highest Military Leaders themselves. What an Circus this has become, because of all of this, one could get the impression that only as-lickers are chosen for the Highest Military Comand. Orao. Srbia.

This process of hiring a chief of staff has been soiled by barak who has to be moved out of defense now as he is a disaster for israel. Ashkenazi has been an excellent chief of staff and his term should be extended pending gen Yaalon taking over defense. Bara's manoeveriing over naveh and now ganz stinks to high heaven to spite ashkenazi. Barak is broken so his views are worthless. Gamnz did not distinguish himself in the hezbollah war, did not grab the reins with kaplinski and move olmert to the proper counterattack sinsce halutz was lost. Naveh I do not know. Yaalon will sort out. if bibi does not replace barak, then I and many supporters will leave him for landau or lieberman.

"Benny Galant". Now that's a whopper if ever I saw one !!!!!!!!!!

In the Military, Comradeship and Comittment to One Another , is of Utmost Importance This Election by the Politicians of the Highest Militar Leader, Other Military Leaders should Submitt to and Follow, Creates Competitions and Splits in Comradeships among the Highest Military Leaders, this is totaly wrong. If the Highest Military Leaders Themselves could chose Their Highest Commander, a One they all know Regarding Personal Quality in all Regards, a Comrade they all have Confidence in, that would be a better Solution, a solution we all can Sacrifice our life for ? United we stand - Divided we Fall !. Orao.Srbia.

I disagree. Top echelon commanders are usually by nature competitive; I doubt if they could reach an agreed upon decision and then it could be a compromise candidate (which decision the politicians might also reach). Also, being a democracy, the political leadership controls the military. They are the ones who decide, as in other democracies such as the US.

The Competitions we wright about is not the same. If you cant get the Respect and Confidence from Your Military Colegues, You are certainly not Fittng the task as their Military Commander. Therefore - he compeition you describe is Maturing and Promoting the Qualitys Required from a military Comander, that can be bypassed by the appointment from politicians, a little as-licking that is. In Short. Orao.Srbia.

Leadership is Expressed in Example of action, those who cant give an Examle of that,. Military Leadership is Expressed in the Motto of this song - "Those who Fight to the Death let them stay" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eL62m5umP4g This is and Example which still stands today, and as for me. those Warriors are not Dead but livingin the Eternal Realm, and the power of GOD rises the Hair on my body when listening to this song. Orao.Srbai.

Barack has become no less than an enemy of Israel. He is a threat to the security of Israel. It is just incredible to write it but this is the sad truth. Barack Get out!!!! We want Gabi back!!!

I understand what you are saying and agree, except you ignore factors pertinent to we humans. You assume that there is only one who is so qualified that he/she(?) would be way above the rest. At least a few would be so qualified. Also, don't ignore human nature; cooperative friendships would have been formed and different groups of officers would support the officers they are more familiar with. I agree the problem is in the political echelon, exemplified by Barak. However, if the government controls the military (and it should) it must exercise that control by selecting the Ramatkal.