Liberman: No more wars of attrition

Avigdor Liberman tells IDF top brass that as defense minister he will work to prevent unnecessary wars and end “wars of attrition.”

Speaking to generals in his first official address after being sworn in as defense minister yesterday, Liberman laid out his vision for the IDF, putting particular focus on what he called “the people’s army” and the relationship between the military and civilian society.

“In a democratic society, matters of war and peace must express the will and enjoy the support of the majority of the people,” he said. “We cannot engage in unnecessary conflicts. As Israeli society, we are only allowed to fight unavoidable wars,” he said.

Newly appointed Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman alongside IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkott during a ceremony welcoming him to the ministry, May 31, 2016. (Ariel Harmoni/Ministry of Defense)

In an apparent continuation of statements he made last night supporting the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, Liberman tried to ease worries that he would be a irresponsible defense minister.

“I’ve said this before: when there is a clash of values between the unity of the people and territorial integrity, the people are more important.”