By Rabbi Dow Marmur
JERUSALEM–It shouldn’t come as a surprise that I’m totally unqualified to assess the merits of General Yoav Galant, whose appointment as the next chief of staff of the IDF has just been revoked, and those of General Benny Gantz who’ll now get the job. And it may very well be that, despite the preoccupation of the Israeli media with the issue, it’s of little interest to people outside. So why am I writing this?
Because the latest decision (1) puts Defense Minister Ehud Barak in his place; (2) vindicates the outgoing chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi; (3) shows that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu still knows, at least sometimes, how to act as a leader, not just a political survivor, going even against his defense minister; and (4) has the promise of restoring much needed stability to Israel’s military.
1. Having consistently undermined the Labour Party that he was elected to lead and finally having broken it up, Barak has of late concentrated on what looks like a personal vendetta against Ashkenazi and thereby the Israeli defense establishment for which he has political responsibility. (The establishment seems to side with Ashkenazi.)
Thus, for example, over the weekend Barak told the media that to extend the appointment of Ashkenazi, which had always been in the cards, was impossible in view of ethical, moral and even professional question marks around him. As Barak wouldn’t be more specific, speculations abound, but they’re irrelevant in this context. To have put a stop to Barak’s machinations, viciously described from the podium of the Knesset by his former colleague Binyamin Ben Eliezer (another ex-army man), is a relief.
2. In the time that Ashkenazi has been chief of staff much of the damage to the reputation and the capability of the IDF caused by the Second Lebanon War has been restored. The fact that Gantz was Ashkenazi’s deputy for most of that time suggests that good management and the high morale will continue.
3. The frequent complaints that the prime minister of Israel doesn’t make decisions and, therefore, is unfit to govern may be unjustified, because it’s quite obvious that it’s Netanyahu who put Barak in his place by bringing back Gantz from retirement.
But Netanyahu shouldn’t rest on his laurels. Here’s again some unsolicited advice: Having come thus far, he should now take the bull by the horns and get rid of Barak altogether. Of course, this would require the prime minister to be enough of a statesman to recast his coalition by including Kadima. This would strengthen his hand vis-à-vis Avigdor Lieberman who continues to be an embarrassment (say by getting rid of him, too) and enable him to respond to the pressure from the United States and the Quartet to re-start negotiations with the Palestinians. When that happens we’ll really know that something very good has come of all this and that Netanyahu has what it takes.
4. The situation in Egypt and its consequences in neighbouring countries has put great strain on the IDF. To know that it’ll continue to be in good hands has reassured most Israelis. In addition to military capability, morale is what decides Israel’s ability to defend itself in these difficult times. Gantz’s appointment promises both.
The Galant-Gantz affair, coupled with less bad news from Egypt, has been something of a diversion from the many other hot issues – e.g., the future of the peace with Egypt and how to deal with Iran – but not for long, alas.
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Rabbi Marmur is spiritual leader emeritus of Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto. He now divides his time between Canada and Israel