Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Netanyahu: Disobedience in IDF will cause State to collapse

(Ynet)."There is no place for disobedience and we shall employ every method to eradicate it," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday referring to an incident in which Nachshon Battalion soldiers held a sign in protest of building evacuation in the Negohot settlement.

Netanyahu made the statements during a visit to the Navy base in Haifa. "Israel Defense Forces are based on the concept of command hierarchy.

"If you wish to dismiss the IDF – promote disobedience, which could lead to the State's collapse. The army leans on the right to give and receive orders," the prime minister said.

IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Gabi Ashkenazi, who accompanied Netanyahu in the visit, said that the IDF is dealing with the phenomenon with a firm hand.

"There is no place for disobedience and rebelliousness in the army," Ashkenazi stated and thanked the prime minister for his words. "I trust the Kfir Brigade commander in dealing with the phenomenon."