Retired General Israel Ziv Criticizes Blame Game, Comments on Iran Threat

Retired Major General Yisrael Ziv has strongly criticized what he describes as a campaign to discredit individuals, including himself, Yair Golan, and Noam Tibon, who took responsibility and acted in border areas on October 7th. Speaking on 103FM radio, Ziv argued that this is a "struggle for the narrative" aimed at deflecting blame from those who failed to act. He stated that the attacks are not just personal but represent a deeper conflict over national values like heroism and struggle, contrasting them with what he sees as destructive tendencies. Ziv recounted his own experience on October 7th, explaining he was on a bike ride when he saw horrific images from Sderot and felt compelled to go to the border area, emphasizing he did not receive a specific order.

Ziv also addressed Defense Minister Israel Katz's warning of a potential Iranian attack during the Jewish High Holidays, calling it a "method of absolving responsibility." He believes such warnings are unhelpful to the public and serve only to allow the minister to claim he warned people if an incident occurs. Despite the warning, Ziv does not foresee an imminent war, suggesting that creating such an atmosphere might benefit some, but citing a calming post from Donald Trump as a counterpoint.

Regarding Iran, Ziv praised the US approach, particularly the effectiveness of economic sanctions. He described the US military actions in the Strait of Hormuz as an "exceptional operation," flexible and well-conceived, allowing for a sustained policy aimed at pressuring Iran. Ziv concluded that there is no immediate need for anyone to alter their plans, indicating he does not expect a new escalation soon.