Incoming IDF Chief Appointment In Doubt

Galant in Gaza. Photo: Avi Ohayon, GPO

The appointment of a new Chief of Staff to the Israeli Military is frequently an interesting event. The Chief of Staff, who is appointed by the Government according to the recommendation of the Minister of Defence, is the highest commanding officer in the Israeli Military, and as such receives his orders directly from the Minister of Defence, and is in charge of implementing them.

Israel is Preparing for a Prolonged Regional War

Ha’aretz newspaper in Hebrew reports that as a part of preparations for a prolonged regional war, Israel has recently lobbied the United States to purchase more weapons, including more precision-guided JDAM bombs for its air force. Israel has also requested that the US increase its emergency arsenals in Israel.

Who Delegitimizes Israel?

Israel has said that the Freedom Flotilla, a maritime convoy carrying 10,000 tons of much-needed aid for the destitute population of Gaza and around 750 international activists protesting Israel’s siege of the territory, is “a provocation intended to delegitimize Israel.” If that were a just characterization, then the Flotilla would be unnessecary; it seems that Israel is doing a great job of delegitimizing itself.