Reserve officers: General Staff should take responsibility
IDF chief of staff Halutz presents findings of investigations in army's functioning during second Lebanon war to reserve officers who urge General Staff to take responsibility for shortcomings
A week after Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lit.-Gen. Dan Halutz presented the findings of investigations into the army's functioning during the second Lebanon war, he did so again on Wednesday before reserve officers during a conference in Glilot.
Officers who conducted some of the investigations leveled fresh criticism at Halutz.
Reserve generals Doron Almog and Yoram Yair claimed that the IDF is suffering a leadership crisis which they blamed for most of the war's shortcomings, brushing aside Halutz claims that cuts in training and equipment budgets impinged on the army's performance.
Former Chief of Staff Dan Shomron presented the findings of a probe he conducted into the Chief of Staff's performance during the war and urged Halutz and his top echelon to fix the army's deficiencies.
Military Intelligence Chief Maj.-Gen. Amos Yadlin said that although the IDF's consciousness was harmed there were many achievements on the battlefield.
His words did little to calm angry officers who urged the General Staff to take responsibility for the failures instead of searching for explanations.
"There was hope that those responsible would take responsibility. We are fed up with this demand, and it seems no one is listening," reserve officers said.
Disagreement pits officers against each other
During another conference on Wednesday, Brigadier General Ilan Harari slammed the army's Human Resources Department for shortcomings during the war and for failing to implement recommendations made by investigative committees.
Personnel Directorate Deputy Head Maj.-Gen. Avi Zamir refuted Harari's remarks as irrelevant.
"There was an unpleasant feeling because of the exchange of words," a military source told Ynet.
Personnel Directorate Head Maj.-Gen. Elazar Stern explained to Harari that his department is not responsible for training but for assisting soldiers at times of war.
But Maj.-Gen. Zamir chose to lash out at Harari for his criticism. "Your subordinates don't think like you and what really matter is what they say," Zamir told Harari.
Officers also expressed concern over the army's credibility in the eyes of the general public. Although not data on the army's popularity was presented, one officer said that "the war is still echoing" in the IDF and that it will take a long time to put it behind.
