(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

Both Defense Minister Ehud Barak and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi were on hand at the Bakum Enlistment Base on Tuesday morning. The two senior figures greeted new inductees, giving them an additional dose of encouragement while releasing statements to the media.

Barak stated, “This is not North America or Europe. Things are hard here and we need a serious army to face the serious threats that surround Israel.”

Ashkenazi spoke of the need for a “quality army,” stating such a reality begins with the “quality of its soldiers”.