Retired Brigadier General Arutz Weiner Criticizes IDF Spirit Document and Calls to Restore Victory as Core Value

In a Knesset discussion on updating the IDF's spirit document, retired Brigadier General Arutz Weiner sharply criticized the evolution of the army's core values over the years. Speaking at a session chaired by MK Tzvi Sukkot, Weiner argued that key values such as love of the land, dedication to the mission, and victory have been diluted or removed, partly due to the Oslo Accords and concerns over potential evacuation of settlements.

Weiner recounted his longstanding critique dating back to the 1990s, questioning why values like love of the land and comradeship were omitted or softened, and why the ethical code shifted focus toward "purity of arms." He recalled challenging Professor Asa Kasher, a drafter of the ethical code, who admitted the document was generic and applicable to any army, including the German army, which Weiner found meaningless. Weiner said the removal of love of the land was motivated by fears that soldiers might resist orders to evacuate settlements, conflicting with that value.

He also addressed the 2000 update to the spirit document during Alazar Stern's tenure as Chief Education Officer, stating it failed to significantly improve the situation. Weiner criticized the drafting committee for being dominated by academics and philosophers rather than experienced military commanders. He emphasized that victory should remain the leading value, asserting that anything not serving victory should be discarded.

Concluding his remarks, Weiner called for a return to the original foundational values of the IDF spirit, urging that updates be led by commanders rather than committees, to eliminate confusion and restore clarity before considering further changes.