IDF Chief of Staff: "The IDF will not allow disputes to penetrate its ranks"

Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir conducted a situation assessment and field tour in Shuja'iyya in the Gaza Strip today (Tuesday) with Southern Command Commander, Major General Yaniv Asur, 252 Division Commander, Brigadier General Yehuda Vach, and other commanders.

During the tour, the Chief of Staff spoke with reserve soldiers from the 16th Brigade operating in the sector and expressed his great appreciation for the forces at this time who show up for every mission and every call. Also, during the tour, the Chief of Staff approved the operational plans for the continuation of the fighting, both defensive and offensive.

In his remarks to the soldiers, Zamir addressed the wave of protest letters against the war, and clarified that "The IDF will continue to act in a stately manner and will not allow disputes to penetrate its ranks. Reserve soldiers have the right to express their opinion when they are not on active reserve duty, as citizens, on any issue and in a democratic manner." According to him, "There are enough ways and places for civil protest. The attempt to drag the IDF, including speaking as a group in the name of a military unit, is improper and we will not allow it."

"The IDF honors and appreciates the reservists. The IDF consists of diverse people and opinions who work together to achieve the mission and security – the mission is carried out together," he concluded. "The IDF is engaged in a multi-front war and operates based on professional considerations only, its goal in the fighting in Gaza is primarily the defense of the state, the return of the hostages, and the defeat of Hamas. All of Israel salutes you, we are in a war crucial to our future and we will win."