Last update - 00:00 15/09/2006
Reservist general calls on IDF chief Halutz to quit over war
By Jonathan Lis and Nir Hasson, Haaretz Correspondents and Haaretz Service
Several generals in the reserves met Friday with Chief of Staff Dan Halutz, one of them calling on Halutz to step down in the wake of this summer's war in Lebanon.
According to Israel Radio, reservist general Yanush Ben-Gal was the outspoken member of the group, telling Halutz he had been touched by "hubris."
Ben-Gal also said it was a mistake to appoint Halutz, formerly the Israel Air Force commander, to the role of chief of staff because he lacks the experience and insight required of the army's head commander, the radio said.
Halutz, on his part, told the the ex-generals their criticism did not sit well with their failure to offer assistance during the war, according to the radio.
In a similar meeting two weeks ago, several generals criticized the military leadership's conduct during the summer's war in Lebanon, but refrained from openly calling on Halutz to resign.
On Thursday, Halutz announced he would delay the promotion of a brigade commander who criticized the performance of a division commander in front of Channel 10 television cameras.
Colonel Amnon Eshel, commander of Brigade 7, was caught on camera during the Lebanon war saying that the commander of the Galilee division, Brigadier General Gal Hirsch, was operating in contravention of basic warfare principles.
The Israel Defense Forces spokesman said the chief of staff was furious at the televised remarks.
Halutz summoned Eshel for a meeting Thursday to allow the brigade commander to tell his version of the events, and Eshel apologized for his comments.
"The IDF gives top priority to open discussions, and allows commanders on all levels to express themselves freely," Halutz said in a statement. "However, it would be appropriate to express one's views in a manner befitting the IDF's core values."
"There is nothing wrong with an officer criticizing his superiors concretely even if the criticism is heavy, but this must be done in the appropriate forum," the statement said.