Retired Brigadier General Erez Weiner Calls for Fundamental Shift in Israel’s Security After October 7 Attacks

Retired Brigadier General Erez Weiner, chairman of the Security Movement, asserts that the October 7 attacks necessitate a profound change in Israel’s security approach. In an interview, Weiner emphasizes that the era of containment is over, and Israel must now focus on decisive action, prevention, and enforcement, even if it requires prolonged presence in the territories. He supports Shin Bet chief David Zini amid public controversy, praising Zini’s commitment to operate strictly within the law.

Weiner also addresses the contentious issue of integrating women into combat maneuver units, supporting women’s service but opposing their inclusion in frontline combat roles on operational grounds rather than religious ones. He cites the U.S. military’s experience as evidence of the challenges in such integration, highlighting physiological limits and unit cohesion concerns.

On the topic of IDF values, Weiner laments the erosion of foundational principles like love of country and camaraderie, which he believes have been replaced since 1994 by less meaningful documents. He argues that the fighting spirit demonstrated since October 7 reflects the true core values of the soldiers.

Regarding Gaza, Weiner states that Israel can no longer rely on the previous "quiet for quiet" policy. He calls for active enforcement and prevention, including maintaining operational control over Gaza until the threat from Hamas is fully neutralized. He warns that the political future after upcoming elections will be critical in determining whether this new security approach continues.

Finally, Weiner identifies the most existential threat to Israel as the proliferation of hundreds of thousands of illegal weapons in Arab society and terror groups, which also spread into the West Bank. He describes the Palestinian Authority as an armed, dangerous entity that funds terrorism and calls for its dismantling. He urges a coordinated effort among the IDF, Shin Bet, police, and enforcement agencies to address this threat, strengthen local defense, and prepare for the "war at home," which he sees as Israel’s central challenge in the coming years.