From the Liveblog of
Saturday, August 19, 2023
Dichter: Coalition, not security chiefs, must solve the problems causing IDF divides
Likud’s Avi Dichter, a member of the security cabinet and a former head of the Shin Bet, says “everybody” is worried about the impact on the security forces of the national dispute over the judicial overhaul, as evidenced by volunteer reservists refusing to report for duty.
Asked on Channel 12’s “Meet the Press” when he would reach the stage of demanding a halt to the overhaul legislation for fear of the impact on the IDF becoming untenable, Dichter replies: “I can’t tell you when [IDF preparedness will be deeply affected]: Some say by the end of the year, some say a few months, some say today.
“The problem exists, it worries all of us — the prime minister, the defense minister, security cabinet members, government ministers — and I believe most Israeli citizens. And of course the security echelons.”
Asked, again, when he will demand a halt to the legislation, Dichter says, “First we have to put the brakes on what has happened. The IDF depends on its reservists. And anyone who thinks that on the day when the order is given [for a call-up for vital service], everyone will report, and it will all be okay — it won’t be okay. And it won’t be okay if people [in vital jobs] aren’t fully trained.”
While several members of the coalition have denounced IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and Shin Bet head Ronen Bar for failing to tackle the reservists’ protests more forcefully, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly castigated the two in a phone call earlier this month for acknowledging the harm being done to IDF preparedness, Dichter says that “it is our task — as politicians, as members of the cabinet, as ministers” to ensure that the problem is resolved.”
“This has to be stopped,” he says, and the obligation to do so “can’t be placed on the shoulders of the chief of staff, the head of the Shin Bet” and other security chiefs. “They have to be supported. They should brake it; they can’t prevent it.”
He notes that the Knesset does not return from summer recess until October and urges that agreements be reached, especially on the core planned overhaul legislation to remake judicial selection. The “correct balance” needs to be found, Dichter says. “We are seeking agreements… To my sorrow, the parties on the other side of the political spectrum are not there.”
