Halevi: IDF has to discipline commanders who break protocols
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi says the military has to discipline commanders who have acted contrary to protocols, in an apparent reference to Brig. Gen. Dan Goldfus who addressed politicians in a press conference without prior approval, and Brig. Gen. Barak Hiram who ordered the demolition of a university used by Hamas in Gaza without getting approval from his superiors.
“The IDF commanders, junior ones, and those more senior are commanding a difficult and complex war, in several arenas at the same time, for over five months, bringing about increasing achievements,” he says.
“In war, it is very important to allow the commanders on the battlefield the freedom required to carry out their missions, I trust them and appreciate them very much. In the same breath, I say the obvious: It is impossible to fight when the discipline and rules are not clear and not strict,” Halevi continues.
“The balance between them is the key to success. A commander cannot override an order without authorization if there is no operational, clear, and urgent need or reason for this,” he says.
“Commanders who violated the rules will be investigated and dealt with as soon as possible. This is our duty,” Halevi says.
He says the IDF has “very high-quality commanders who fight bravely” but “in places where they made a mistake or deviated from the orders, there was learning. There were also disciplinary and command measures amid the fighting.”
“Our achievements on the battlefield are the result of the unity of our ranks, alongside the ability to act together subject to IDF values and IDF orders,” Halevi says.
