A wave of criticism over schools being canceled during the Iranian threat this month has revived long-running complaints about Home Front Command, especially its inconsistency and public confusion. On Sunday evening, June 7, millions of parents were told that classes would be canceled the next day while workplaces would continue as usual, because officials expected an Iranian response and possible missile fire. The move was widely attacked as excessive, but within less than 24 hours the criticism appeared justified. The episode joined broader accusations since October 7 and during the latest rounds against Iran that alerts in the north were too short or false, guidance lagged behind Telegram channels, and rules on schools and the economy swung between overly strict and overly permissive.
The officer making those calls is Maj. Gen. Shai Kalper, who took command of the Home Front Command in May 2025 and was promoted to major general at the same time. He is 50, married with four children, lives in Samaria, and has spent nearly three decades in combat units, starting with Golani in 1996. His career included commander of Golani reconnaissance, commander of Battalion 51, head of training at Bahad 1, commander of the Fire Training Center at the Land Training Center in 2017 to 2018, commander of Golani Brigade in 2018, commander of Division 91 from 2022 to 2025, and now Home Front Command. Those who know him describe him as a hard-driving field commander, detail-oriented and strategic, while families of fallen soldiers praise his personal attention, including after the death of Amit Ben Yigal in 2020.
The article says Home Front Command is responsible for civilian defense, rescue and response, organized by regional commands that work with local authorities and emergency services. During an Iranian attack, a small professional forum, then the IDF chief and the defense minister, determine which preplanned scenario to activate, whether orange conditions allowing limited activity or red conditions limiting only essential activity. On major decisions like opening or closing schools, the Home Front commander himself coordinates with civilian and military officials to shape policy.
Kalper’s supporters say he has already shown unusual operational judgment. As head of Division 91 on the northern border, he spent Fridays inspecting bases and, on October 7, first alerted local leaders and then moved to defend the sector. Colleagues say he told them, “We are at war,” and in one day the division absorbed 56,000 reservists. Since taking office, he has extended northern warning times, upgraded the Home Front Command app and its color system, challenged Telegram channels by making official alerts faster and clearer, and pushed multi-front coordination with emergency bodies and the IDF. Critics still question whether a combat officer without a background in civil emergency work is the right model, while supporters argue he is suited to become the next senior IDF leader.
