Ashkenazi: Next time, IDF will use snipers to halt Gaza-bound flotillas
In his first round of testimony to the Turkel Committee, the Chief of Staff took responsibility for the army's actions.
By Amos HarelIDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi completed his first round of testimony yesterday to the Turkel Committee, the Israeli panel investigating the deadly May raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla.
Ashkenazi had the benefit of access to testimonies given by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak (except those delivered in closed-door testimony ), both of whom testified to the panel before him.
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IDF chief of staff testifying yesterday before the Turkel Committee, which is examining the botched IDF raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in May. |
The primary difference between his and their testimonies lay in his tone. The chief of staff admitted mistakes, took responsibility for failings and directed only mild criticism toward the government his army answers to. (At least this was the case during the portion of testimony open to the public ).
The IDF chief was also gracious to his own subordinates. Mistakes made were "ours," he said, noting that "We erred."
"I take responsibility for every operation in the army," Ashkenazi said as the hearing began. "The decision to refrain as much as possible from summoning commanders [to testify] is the correct one. I represent them."
The flotilla raid, he added, was "proportionate and appropriate. The troops displayed calm, courage and dedication. I'm proud that these are my soldiers."
Unlike Barak during his testimony on Tuesday, Ashkenazi seemed to cautiously navigate the minefield between the military and political leaderships. Several times he described the army as acting in accordance with decisions made by the government. He also referred repeatedly to a letter he had sent to Netanyahu and Barak on May 13, two and a half weeks before the flotilla was due to set sail, asking that they exhaust other alternatives before making a decision to authorize a military operation.
Many saw Ashkenazi's remarks about the letter as a clear swipe at Netanyahu and Barak. That letter, however, can be found in a film screened last month for journalists by the Eiland Committee, the IDF's in-house inquiry into the raid. The film was replayed yesterday, with the letter quoted to members of the Turkel panel.
Ashkenazi told the commission yesterday that the primary lesson he had gleaned from the flotilla incident is the need to muster enough force in minimal time during any similar raid.
"Our fundamental problem, and mine as well, was exactly that," he said. "I estimated there would be 18 people on the upper deck, and that if we came with a helicopter and threw a stun grenade they would relent. We had to guarantee 'sterile' conditions for the unit."
Once forces came into contact with passengers, he said, "the navy commander made the right decision in taking over the bridge of the ship."
Ashkenazi said that if the IDF is faced with a similar situation in the future, there may be no alternative to deploying snipers to minimize troop casualties. "When people are looking for a fight, it usually happens," he said.
On the apparent faulty intelligence on the nature of the Mavi Marmara's mission, he said, "We need to know more."
Committee chairman Jacob Turkel expressed dismay at what he described as the absence of accurate intelligence on IHH, the Istanbul-based Islamist group that sent the flotilla.
"It seems a bit odd, in light of impressive prior achievements in preventing ships from arriving, and - according to foreign media reports - in thwarting weapons smuggling in places far from Israel," the retired Supreme Court justice said.
Ashkenazi replied, "It's true. I've already said we didn't know enough about the organization, that we hadn't investigated it enough. It wasn't on our list of priorities as were other groups... Turkey isn't an enemy country, and I hope it doesn't become one. We maintain military links with it, even during the current crisis. I myself was a guest of the Turkish chief of staff two weeks before the flotilla incident."
A picture of mistakes
The picture emerging from the testimonies offered to both the Turkel and Eiland committees is cause for concern. Not only does it appear that the political leadership was at fault, but the military command as well, in particular that of the navy. The incident will long be remembered as a resounding failure, even though the IDF had several months to prepare for the flotilla.
In the final analysis, military planning was ill-suited to the operation at hand, was based on faulty intelligence and was not flexible enough to allow troops to adequately confront the worst-possible scenario. As a result, when just such a scenario unfolded, soldiers were left alone to contain an angry, violent mob.
Just as in the first intifada of the late 1980s and early '90s, the Temple Mount riots of 1990 and 2000, and the October 2000 unrest across Israel and the territories, troops employed disproportionate force to get their comrades out alive.
The consequence, as is often seen in such cases, was the deaths of a number of people Israel had not planned to target, and untold damage to the country's image abroad.
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if,in close sessions,it does not say it is in an impossible situation,mainly occupied in the occupation (while designed to defeat any foreseeable-even incredible-offenses from combined quarters).its main rival is civilian.it does mainly a policing job.conversely,of course,if idf thinks "operation greater israel" is viable and achievable,since that is the current policy,it is also bound to say it can be,and is being done.it would be nice to be around,when we know who was right.
Amos: Your sad conclusion regarding admittedly faulty intelligence and disproportionate use of military resources is a theme American military faces in Iraq/Afganastan. Fog of War as it is k nown and 100% accuracy in hindsight. But, thanks to the quick reaction by the Nvy commander on the scene, I believe IDF followed the correct course of action and rescued the initial troops alive. It is highly likely they would have been killed creating a much bigger problem. It is now certain that instigators/terrorists will recognize that their attempts to infiltrate through Gaza via flotillas will not become useful and be met with force. And this issue will soon be forgotten by all except those who took advantage of the initial opportunity to enter Gaza.
'..In the final analysis, military planning was ill-suited to the operation at hand, was based on faulty intelligence and was not flexible enough to allow troops to adequately confront the worst-possible scenario....' This is Ehud Baraks MO. Setting up Israel for a fall, a defeat, from actual victory. IMHO. Maybe Erdogun will expose Barak?
People that get on boats with the express intention of breaking a legal blockade, established to prevent weapons reaching an internationally acknowledged terrorist organisation, are either fools or looking for confrontation. Any humanitarian crisis that exists inside Gaza has been deliberately manufactured by Hamas. For those of wealth or influence, there is no crisis as is evident from the videos of the new shopping mall and Roots restaurant. Hamas dictate who gets provided for and who doesn't. Israel must be one of the only states ever, to provide humanitarian provisions, fuel and electricity to an enemy organisation that remains intent on its destruction.
Sounds like an act of war according to the Geneva convention...
It is quite amazing that muslims call for the obliteration of an entire nation, continually provoking them, thrive on terrorism, not just against Israel, but against the whole western world - and people (from Europe), side with these barbarians!!! It is quite amazing! So what must Israel do next, roll over and play dead? Hey Israel, they may all be against you, but my friends and I are most definetily not!!!
Ashkenazi. I will remember that name. Israel is the only country that matters that still got BALLS. Ashkenazi seem to be the only man in the apparat that got balls. I salute to you. Snipers? How about sea mines?! Blow them up for crossing into your waters, Russians did that, So did the British. So... There is no pleasing them. The only way to deal with the threat is to ILLUMINATE it. Not accommodate. People on this forum ask "when will the world learn?" . The world had learned long ago..The real question is : when you, idiots, will realize that. We have nowhere to go. We take SOME (not all ) of the land that is truly ours and we will not be left alone, We give to this world more than any people at any time. What do we get? Pogroms, holocaust, flotillas, suicide bombers, UN resolutions. Ashkenazi - I hope you stay the course, General. Its greater than anything. You are the man. Snipers. Nukes .Whatever. G-d bless you, sir, G-d bless the IDF. Love from New York, Roman
Having a chance to become a shahid and enjoy a company of 72 virgins, for such a small price ? I can't believe you are objecting that.
Civilians who are armed and attack soldiers are not 'innocent civilians'. But then again you probably view all Jews as legitimate targets.
Absolutely astounding,talk about double talk and total lack of responsibility of the wanton murder of innocent passengers. Two weeks to prepare for the flotilla,knowing quite well that there were no weapons aboard,23 shots in the back,yeah,they had deadly metal bars,and lounge chairs of mass destruction,another brutal example of the Evil Empire's lack of Humanity,the Zionist fundamentalist have gone insane and no longer know the difference between Morality and Genocide.
Israel doesnt want a fight, anytime or anywhere. The country is too small & her population not large enough to absorb casualties. But it will fight back if threatened. So dont be so surprised next time. Lessons should and will be learnt by the IDF. And if her enemies are wise, they will learn as well.
Agree?
are not armed, so what's your problem? Terrorists have to and will be shoot.
That's why things came down as they did ; our boys were put into harms way purposely so there'd be people hurt.This is how things have always been done here.In a nation based on ideology reality seldom intervenes and the truth is never revealed and certainly no one is ever punished for patriotically promoting the cause even where the world of normal international ethics demands so.Welcome to the only remaining idealogical state remaining in the world today from the scores of such beings in the 1930's, And if this proves unprintable so much more so is it necessary to look in the mirror and say I'm protecting God's land from all the devils out there.
that force is really the last resort, not the only one. One could almost sense a smidgen of honour in Ashkenazi's responses if it were not for his leadership of an organisation committing war crimes (as defined and agreed by the UN)....but you can't help feeling sorry for the guy, he has to solve all Israel 'international relations' issues because his political masters are incapable of even the smallest degree of statesmanship. At least he said 'the buck stops with me'. That's something.
Israel constantly uses a disproportionate amount of force in all defense matters. The world is tired of excuses where Israelis overreact and kill innocent people. The Turkish response is just the beginning. It's sad to see more government excuses instead of an honest desire to change.
As many as 10,000 missiles have been fired from Gaza into Israel. For 63 years, Israel has been under attack every single day of its existence. Israel is capable of wiping out all human life in Gaza and the West Bank. If it were a state such as China or Russia, Iran or Syria or any one of a number of African states, it might already have done that and not given it a moment's further thought. Your comment is disproportionate, unfair and is based on prejudice and a creeping lack of understanding of the real situation in the region. You have fallen for the left wing bias that has been parroted time and again in the main stream media and aligned yourself with the fascist theology of the killers of Hamas and Hez B'Allah. Congratulations on your blinkered vision.
Dear James, please indicate to me which modern army in action does not use massive overwhelming force against those it identifies as threats. Furthermore I'd be interested to note which countries' doctrine doesn't revolve around the principle of massive and disproportionate force (Costa Rica is the only one I can think of but then they don't have an army). I'm sure that Nato troops like the Germans, Poles, Czechs for instance have NEVER called in air strikes when small arms fire might have prevailed in Iraq/Afghanistan. To say nothing of the British or US, or Russian (Georgia, Chechnya) forces.
Snipers seems to be the answer to halt a ship . First shoot without warning 30 people. Next board the ship full of terrorized fellows. Great idea from IDF chief of staff. With such military Israel image will certainly improve
Putting Israeli soldiers' lives at risk is completely unacceptable. The humanitarians had been given many options, only to be rejected. A single torpedo would have resolved the problem completely. In the eyes of the international community Isreal is always at fault, so what difference does it make: 9 martyrs or some more ?
This seems redundant. I thought the currently accepted view was the 8 cabinet members dithered too long then constrained the inept navy's actions. And also threw an elite unit into a fray they were not trained for (since they weren't supposed to kill anyone). Civilian leadership incompetence paired with rules of engagement that were laughable and on scene commanders who couldn't retreat and couldn't kill everyone. Am I missing something?
On what planet would that go over well? Israel needs to have a reliable place that foreign organizations can deliver aid for people in Gaza, without bureaucratic games. Set up one dock in a major port and guarantee that anything landed there will be searched and delivered to Gaza within 2 days.
You didn't do your homework. Ships can already deliver aid to Israeli ports. Israel has a clear legal right to use live fire against any ship that breeches the blockade of Gaza war zone waters at 12 mile limit, or signals an intent to do so by refusing to follow directions into an Israeli port - what the IHH terrorist organization tried to do (IHH, a German organization, is defined by Germany as terrorist). The cost of searches must be borne by the shippers, the entire cargo seized if ANY war contraband is found. What the whole world does.
Legal is not moral or ethical.
The IHH in Germany is totally unconnected to the IHH in Turkey. IHH in Turkey is not listed as a terrorist organisation by ANY country apart from Israel..
Didn't you read the article? "[IHH] wasn't on our list of priorities.... Turkey isn't an enemy country, and I hope it doesn't become one."
You are acting like a useful idiot.
Sadly Israelis are drowning in their spin and propaganda. Israelis destroyed their image abroad with their actions against the flotilla... . Well, they destroyed what little was left after their ongoing occupation and colonisation of Palestine; their wars against Lebanon and the war crime of the attack on Gaza. The ships will keep coming to free Palestine and there is nothing Israel can do to stop them from coming. They may stop them reaching the imprisoned Palestinians but the world will just be reminded of the brutal nature of Israel's occupation and colonisation of Palestine. If Israelis were in touch with any sort of reality and if they wished their country to survive they would end the occupation and negotiate for final, legitimate borders for themselves and allow the Palestinians to create their own State in what remains of their country. Sadly, those who live in a pool of lies are unlikely to do that. Just as Israelis appear unable to see that they are completely responsible for the crime of attacking the flotilla, so too will they be completely responsible for the destruction of their country. It is impossible to win a war of occupation in the modern age. The Palestinians have justice, time and numbers on their side. Israelis may be blind to this reality but it remains a reality all the same.
Talking about 67 borders as basis of negotiations is a burdensome pre-condition. OF COURSE Israel wants to negotiate - it is even willing to give up some parts of Judea and Samaria in the negotiations (just not settlements and not Jordan Valley).
Rosso: Sadly your heart and mind beat without objectivity. I recommend you visit Israel and see for yourself what life was and is like surrounded by people who have been trying to kill you for 100 years. You forget the Israelis have a long history in this part of the world, as well as the undeniable fact that no Arab country or leader has come forward to absorb the Palestinians in any significant way during the past 60 years. The plight of the Palestinians is all part of a plan to portray the Israelis as villians. You forget the UN authorized the land be partitioned, Arab armies attacked. Nasser threatened extinction and closed the Red Sea access to Israel, etc. Hizbollah kidnaps soldiers or kills them. On and on. Oh, the IDF left Gaza a few yrears ago.
How can it be occupation without anyone occupying any part of Gaza. Are now going to say that we are occupying North Korea because we have an emargo around it? Then agin if Israel was enforcing the embargo I am sure the UN and the rest of you would be calling it am occupation and how inhuman the Zionists are being in castigating the poor NorthKorean people who are not at fault.