There was a time that the kibbutznikim dominated the IDF and were the backbone of the elite fighting units. That title has long been taken by the soldiers of the dati leumi community, with 20% of the graduates of the Officers’ Training Base ceremony on Tuesday classifying themselves as Shomer Shabbat. [This only numbers the army’s graduates, not air force and naval units]. The kibbutznikim by the way represented 5.4% of the graduating class. It is clear to all that the numbers of the dati leumi soldiers and officers in the army far exceed their numbers in the general population.
At the ceremony alongside the proud graduates and their families were Defense Minister Ehud Barak, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-General Gabi Ashkenazi, and IDF Chief of Ground Forces Major-General Avi Mizrachi. Barak proudly revealed the new officer’s rank on graduates as he removed the cover from their epaulets.
Barak told the second lieutenants that the junior commanders proved themselves in Operation Cast Lead, and it is now clear to all the situation in southern Israel has changed, and it will no longer be the same as it was during the eight years preceding the counter-terror offensive.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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Now let’s hope that ALL these dati officers will always remember who is their commander in CHIEF, the Commander of all commanders, the Melech Malkei hamelachim, and know NOT to follow orders of basar v’dam that are contrary to HIS orders (such as orders to expel Jews from their homes or to destroy Jewish homes). Then may HaSh*m give them hatzlacha and always bring them home safely from all their missions!