Thursday, 17 February 2005Arieh O'Sullivan and JPost Staff
"The IDF will continue to operate in line with its tradition and demonstrate national responsibility. We will focus on the preparations for the disengagement plan, which will not be changed in any way despite the decision not to extend my tenure as chief of staff," Lt.-Gen. Moshe Ya'alon said on Thursday morning while addressing the General Staff.
According to Ya'alon, "Throughout my entire military career, both as a platoon commander and chief of staff, I have always said, if they want me I am here, and if not, I can leave as well."
He termed the decision not to extend his tenure "legal", and added, "I salute it".
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Shual Mofaz, who decided on Ya'alon's earlier than expected exit, will meet with the chief of staff on Thursday for a routine work-related meeting.
On Wednesday, "Boogie" Ya'alon defended his record as the IDF recoiled from the unexpected decision not to extend his term by another year.
The strong-minded chief of general staff found himself being lauded by politicians who blasted Mofaz for deciding to dump Ya'alon on the eve of the planned withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank. Many saw it as an expression of no confidence in the chief of general staff, who was otherwise widely seen as a successful commander.
Mofaz has so far declined to comment on the affair in public. But his office insisted Wednesday that the decision was based on the desire to limit the term to just three years.
Mofaz actually informed Ya'alon on Monday night that he was not granting him the traditional year extension. The secret was kept for 24 hours until Mofaz's office issued a laconic press release just before midnight Tuesday.
The decision not to extend Ya'alon's term hit the IDF hard. Officers at general headquarters in Tel Aviv used the words "shock" and "earthquake" to describe the atmosphere.
"Everyone expected a decision (on Ya'alon's extension) but no one expected this decision," said one senior officer, who asked not to be named.
Mystery still surrounds the decision as Mofaz did not critique Ya'alon or his record as a way of explaining why he was being forced to step down. Ya'alon himself seemed bewildered about just what went wrong. Ya'alon continued with his schedule as planned Wednesday. In the morning, he met with Givati troops in the Gaza Strip.
Later, in his first public appearance since the news broke, Ya'alon chose to address the annual gathering of pre-army national service volunteers in Tel Aviv where he was greeted with a standing ovation.
"I never intended to speak to you under the circumstances of this morning's headlines. As one who wears a uniform, I make sure not to involve the army with politics so things being said embarrass me a bit," Ya'alon said.
When asked if he was planning on going into politics, he replied that as "a man in uniform" it was inappropriate for him to address that question.
But he recalled for the audience his military career, repeating over and over that he had been successful and had been promoted.
"I never planned to be a company officer but I did. Apparently I was OK, so they made me a battalion commander. Apparently I was OK and I became a brigade commander. Apparently I was OK and it went on from there. None of us know where our military service will take us," said Ya'alon.
Ya'alon denied he was outspoken in public and complained he was just misunderstood and that often his quotes said in private were leaked and taken out of context.
"Sometimes I found myself on one media station saying A and on the other something totally the opposite," Ya'alon said. "To my regret, Israeli reality involves us in politics too much." |
Thursday, 17 February 2005
Jerusalem Post
|
|
