IDF Central Command Chief Warns Against Divisive Tactics

Major General Avi Blout, commander of the IDF's Central Command, warned on Thursday against attempts to sow discord between the leadership of the Judea and Samaria settlement enterprise and the security forces. Speaking at a Rosh Hashanah toast event with local authority heads in Judea and Samaria, Blout emphasized that damaging cooperation between these bodies weakens their ability to thwart terrorism and enforce the law. He highlighted the importance of coordination between the IDF, the Shin Bet security agency, the Judea and Samaria District Police, and the Border Police.

"There are many critics trying to drive a wedge between the various organizations, between the civilian world and the security forces, and also between the security forces themselves," Blout stated. "I am here to say clearly: strong and good inter-organizational partnership produces the foiling of all types of terror, as well as governance and the enforcement of law and order."

According to Blout, attempts to interfere in the relationships between organizations and authorities directly harm the effectiveness of operational activities in the field. "When they try to get in 'between the cracks,' it creates less effectiveness on the ground," he said. He added that even when disagreements arise or criticism is voiced, it should be handled through direct dialogue between the parties involved. "Even when there are comments, they are said within the house, internally. We constantly strive and are happy to receive criticism and be better."

Blout concluded by discussing the security vision guiding the forces' activities in Judea and Samaria. "The partnership between all the council heads and the IDF, and between the security forces themselves, is what produces the foiling of terror and the realization of the vision whereby a civilian lives a routine life, and terror meets the army."