Bennett: If required to use force, Israel will be more lethal than ever

Speaking at IDF officer graduation ceremony, new premier says army in much better shape than it was 15 years ago, when Second Lebanon War broke out

Prime Minister Naftali Bennet boasted of the improved strength of the Israel Defense Forces Thursday while addressing an officers’ course graduation ceremony.

The new premier noted that later this month, the IDF will mark 15 years since the last time its troops carried out a wide-scale ground invasion behind enemy lines, during the Second Lebanon War.

“I was there, as a commander of an infantry squad in the reserve, deep in the field. I have seen what a military campaign looks like when the readiness for it is lacking and the goals are blurred,” Bennett said at the Bahad 1 army base.

“The IDF is in a completely different place today. Our fighters are more determined, more professional, more equipped. If and when we are required to use our force, we will do so and it will be more lethal than before,” he warned.

“To the new IDF ground forces officers, you are the ones who will lead the next military maneuver when needed,” Bennett continued. “You are the ones who will ensure that the IDF will come out on top in our next test as well.”