Letter From IDF Chief-Of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz On Disengagement (Participate In Expulsion Of Brothers Or Out Of IDF Forever)

2005-07-13

IDF Spokesperson

www1.idf.il/DOVER/site/ mainpage.asp?sl=EN& id=7&docid=42312.EN

In several weeks, The State of Israel will be realizing one of its most difficult and sensitive missions ever - Disengagement.

The Disengagement Plan is an extremely sensitive issue for all of Israeli society. We are all witness to the disputes taking place within our society, and naturally, every Israeli citizen harbors a personal opinion on this controversial matter.

The Israeli Knesset and government have accepted a decision. We, as commanders and soldiers of the Israeli Defense Force, are obligated to carry out that decision, in cooperation with the Israel Police, to the fullest extent. We must carry out our task while scrupulously adhering to the core values of the IDF, chiefly the obligation to respect ones fellow man- and that means everyone.

The IDF does not choose its missions; its task is to carry out those that it receives. In a democratic state such as our own, this principal musn't be called into question. Officers and soldiers of all IDF units must fulfill their role in carrying out their assigned tasks. For our nation, the realization will be a very trying experience, but I have no doubt that we, as officers of the IDF, will persevere.

We will be facing not an avowed enemy, but rather our own brothers. It is not war that awaits us, but rather a national mission. We, officers and soldiers of the IDF, will lend a helping hand to Israelis that are to be evacuated. We will share their pain, and will commiserate- but we will complete our mission.

Among those opposed to Disengagement, some have employed legal methods to try to derail the implementation of the plan. Others have used illegal methods. One method being employed by those opposed to Disengagement is a direct appeal to soldiers and their families to refuse orders. Such appeals are even being made by individuals who present themselves as community leaders. Everyone shares the responsibility of safeguarding the future of a united IDF- this isn't merely the task of IDF officers. To my dismay, an ongoing campaign to label all soldiers who wear religious head coverings as those who would potentially refuse orders is underway. Much of this unfortunate label stems from irresponsible, yet influential individuals who claim to have 'taken responsibility' for these soldiers. This is unacceptable.

I am personally familiar with the various units of the IDF and the excellent quality of its commanders and soldiers. As such I am confident that we will ultimately succeed in carrying out our impending mission. We shall do this while upholding communal responsibility for the sake of the unity of the IDF, concerning ourselves with the values of comradeship and brotherhood among combatants, understanding the importance of completing the task at hand, and appreciating the consequences that would ensue, should we fail. Naturally, we can have doubts. We may feel the suffering and the pain that this mission entails. It is imperative, however, that on no account may we refuse to carry out this mission. The IDF will follow through on everything that it has said it will do and will not be apologetic, ambiguous, or compromising regarding our obligation to carry out our orders- to execute a lawful task given to us by our government.

The IDF is home for people of all backgrounds and religions, both religious and secular, and will continue to be so in the future. However, the IDF will not be a home for soldiers and commanders whose loyalty to the military is one with contingencies; nor will it be home to those soldiers who choose only to comply with orders that conform to their personal beliefs. Refusing orders is a one way street and anyone who chooses to take that path will find that they have no way to return from it.

I trust that each and every commander and soldier serving in the IDF, at the moment of truth, will distinguish his own personal beliefs and doubts from his obligation to carry out his tasks.

Together we shall face the challenges with the professionalism, understanding, sensitivity, and the vigor that are necessary for the accomplishment of this particularly complicated mission.

Lt. Gen Dan Haluz, Chief of General Staff

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis