Netanyahu Opposed Mass Dismissal of Refuseniks, Ex-IDF Chief Halevi Claims
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Ex-IDF Chief Halevi claims Netanyahu opposed mass dismissal of refuseniks.
- Netanyahu feared dismissals would worsen the refusal problem.
- The prime minister reportedly reacted strongly to the suggestion.
- Halevi also stated Netanyahu later criticized the IDF's actions.
- The account concerns a meeting after the reasonableness law passed.
Former IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi told a group of bereaved parents that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had opposed the mass dismissal of soldiers refusing to serve. Halevi recounted a meeting with Netanyahu after the Likud government passed the reasonableness law, during which the prime minister reacted strongly to the idea of dismissing all refuseniks.
"Do you want me to dismiss all the refuseniks now?" Halevi reportedly asked Netanyahu. According to Halevi's account, Netanyahu vehemently rejected the proposal, jumping from his seat and exclaiming, "Absolutely not! This will bring a bigger wave, don't do it!"
Netanyahu's concern, as described by Halevi, was that a widespread dismissal would not curb the phenomenon of refusal but rather exacerbate it. This fear was presented as the prime minister's reason for asking the chief of staff not to take such action.
However, Halevi also claimed that after this private conversation, Netanyahu conveyed a different message publicly, stating that the military was not doing enough to address the issue of refuseniks. This account was reported by Omri Maniv on Channel 12 News.
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