Ex-IDF General Nitzan Alon Calls for New Leadership, Criticizes 'Absolute Victory' Slogans

Former head of the Captives and Missing Persons Directorate, Major General (res.) Nitzan Alon, has sharply criticized the Israeli government's conduct, stating that Israeli society, while strong, requires different leadership. Speaking at an online discussion hosted by the Washington Institute, Alon emphasized the need for leadership that implements necessary changes and guides the nation with a realistic approach, rather than relying on slogans like 'absolute victory.' He cited the weekly mass protests as a source of strength for his continued work.

Alon also previously expressed concern about a significant erosion of IDF values among some soldiers and commanders, a phenomenon he observed at the opening of the LEAD program's 2026 cohort. He linked this decline not only to the prolonged war but also to internal societal debates about guiding values.

Addressing incidents in the West Bank involving soldiers, Alon noted instances where soldiers did not behave properly, with some standing by during illegal and immoral acts, or even collaborating. He stressed that commanders bear the responsibility to address these issues directly, rather than ignore them. Alon asserted that preserving Israel's values is crucial for its long-term existence and for the nation's self-respect.

Regarding the October 7th disaster, Alon assigned responsibility to the political echelon for the overall conception regarding Hamas in Gaza. He argued that all prior intelligence, along with information from observers and early warning signs, should have been treated as a genuine alert, prompting action. He described this as a failure on both intelligence and military levels.