IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-General Gabi Ashkenazi stated that if security forces are required once again in the future to remove residents from their homes, police are far better suited for the task than soldiers, and they should be deployed by soldiers can be ordered to provide outer ring security.

When asked about Defense Minister Ehud Barak’s decision to oust Yeshivat Har Bracha from the hesder system, he stated the rabbis had opportunity to condemn insubordination, yet they did not all opt to do so. At the end of the day, the army must remain united and efforts to cause division cannot be tolerated. Ashkenazi added there is a chain of command and this must be adhered to.

He warned against general statements and tarnishing the name of an entire community, adding he is well-acquainted with hesder yeshivot and they are indeed excellent.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)