Father of Fallen Soldier Criticizes Officer Implicated in October 7th Failures

Eyal Ashal, whose daughter Roni Ashal was killed on October 7th while defending Kibbutz Nirim, posted a photo of Colonel Aryeh Amidor, the former intelligence officer for the Gaza Division, standing next to his father, retired Major General Yaakov Amidor. Eyal Ashal used the image to criticize what he described as a culture of arrogance and dismissiveness among some officials.

Colonel Amidor's identity was cleared for publication by the Supreme Court after he had been referred to as "Lt. Col. Aleph" due to ongoing IDF disciplinary proceedings. The Chief of Staff had previously determined that Amidor bore responsibility for the events of October 7th. Ashal expressed his pain in a Facebook post, stating that the photograph symbolized a broader issue of individuals feeling above scrutiny and the public.

He questioned the upbringing of the younger Amidor, suggesting that a sense of impunity is learned behavior, often modeled after parental conduct. Ashal contrasted this with the sacrifices made by soldiers and families like his own, who he feels are still seeking truth while others appear to maintain a sense of superiority. He implied that the younger Amidor, by adopting a similar attitude, was responsible for his own actions, regardless of his father's position.

Ashal concluded by reflecting on the lessons taught within families, emphasizing that observed behavior can be more influential than spoken words, particularly concerning how individuals interact with public accountability.