IDF Planning Chief Reflects on Service, Failures, and Army's Future
Translated & summarized from Makor Rishon by baba
The departing head of the IDF's Planning and Manpower Directorate delivered a self-critical speech acknowledging failures leading to the October 7th attacks and praising the military's subsequent resilience. He detailed efforts to strengthen the IDF by integrating diverse populations and expanding reserve forces. The speech emphasized the importance of national cohesion and celebrated the soldiers' heroism and dedication. He concluded by reciting a prayer for the IDF and Israel after 33 years of service.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- IDF Planning Chief confessed personal failings and took responsibility for shortcomings before October 7th.
- He described the October 7th attack as the IDF's deepest failure, leaving civilians defenseless.
- He praised the resilience and heroism of soldiers and security forces in the war's aftermath.
- Efforts to strengthen the IDF included integrating diverse populations and expanding reserve forces.
- He stressed the importance of national cohesion, derived from soldiers of diverse backgrounds serving together.
- The speech marked his departure after 33 years of service in the IDF.
The outgoing head of the IDF's Planning and Manpower Directorate, who served for 33 years, delivered a deeply personal and self-critical speech reflecting on his career, the failures leading up to the October 7th attacks, and the subsequent efforts to rebuild and strengthen the military. He began by confessing personal failings and taking full responsibility for any shortcomings in his service, stating, "I chose comfort over what is right. I chose to travel to the Kirya [IDF headquarters] and not to the South." He acknowledged that his tenure, which began in June 2023, was meant to be a culmination of his experience, focusing on maintaining the "people's army" model and allowing more people to join. However, these plans were shattered by the Hamas attack on October 7th, 2023, which he described as the IDF's deepest failure, leaving civilians defenseless. He expressed profound pain, sorrow, shame, and self-disappointment.
Despite the immense cost of the war, he praised the resilience and heroism of soldiers and security forces who fought back and achieved unprecedented gains. He highlighted the crucial role of the reserve forces, which were significantly expanded after years of reduction, and the renewed motivation of Israeli youth to enlist in combat units and officer training. He specifically commended the Planning and Manpower Directorate for recognizing the need for a larger, stronger, and more capable IDF, shifting from explaining limitations to finding solutions.
He detailed the directorate's achievements, including integrating diverse populations like Haredim, women combat soldiers, and new immigrants into the military, strengthening both regular and reserve forces, and enacting legislation to stabilize mandatory service length. Significant government decisions worth tens of billions of shekels were made to support these efforts. Initiatives like "Year 12" for pre-service preparation and expanding academic and technological reserves were also noted.
The outgoing chief emphasized the importance of national cohesion, noting how the war revealed the strength derived from the diverse backgrounds of soldiers serving side-by-side. He argued that cohesion does not require uniformity but rather embraces diversity, adaptation, and mutual support, stating, "There is room for uniqueness, and that's how we can all be together." He concluded by expressing pride in the soldiers and the IDF, and by reciting a prayer for the soldiers and the nation, marking his departure after 33 years of service.
