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Distinguished Minister of Defense,
Ministers of the Government,
Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz,
Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi,
Members of the General Staff,
Commanders,
Distinguished Guests,
Today, the watch is being handed over in the supreme command of the Israel Defense Forces. The flags are being passed between two of the select and best of the IDF’s fighters and commanders. They came from the same, humble place and took two parallel but separate military paths.
Their paths crossed again at the end of three decades at the high echelons of Israel’s military and security leadership. Today they sit here before us, Lieutenant General next to Lieutenant General, to accept the blessing of the people, their respect and their good wishes.
It has already been said, “Gird your sword upon your thigh, O hero, in your splendor and glory”. This passage from Psalms is the basis for the name of the frontier moshav Hagor, which was established at the end of the War of Independence by the fighters from the Ninth Battalion of the Palmach, and was populated later by new immigrants from the eastern countries.
Two boys from that moshav took that passage and the legacy of the founders literally and chose military service and defense of their country as their path and their mission.
Today, the citizens of Israel look at them with affinity and pride in their eyes. The wonder that is the State of Israel has many faces, and this is one of the most beautiful.
On behalf of the Government of Israel, and on my own behalf, I wish to express to Lt. Gen. Halutz our gratitude for his excellent and exceptional service as a fighter pilot, as a fighter and commander, and as someone who raised the Air Force to new heights, horizons and unprecedented performances.
As Chief of General Staff, you led the IDF through difficult, complex and sensitive missions, and you did so with level headedness, leadership and moral strength.
As Prime Minister, I had the privilege of working with you and getting to know you also during the nights and days of the war, and during the agonizing hours of uncertainty and decisions.
I was impressed by your special virtues, the insightfulness and level headedness you displayed in difficult situations, and the dignified manner in which you dealt with everything even in the face of mishaps and painful and unfair stabs of criticism. You earned my full trust and the esteem of all who sit in the Government.
Let me assure you, Dan, that the circumstances which motivated you to decide on early retirement from your tenure detract nothing from your rights, your accomplishments and your vast personal contribution to the security of the State of Israel.
Your decision to fully accept all the investigations into the war at all levels, and bequeath to your successor an ordered system of conclusions and lessons is an example of responsibility and integrity. I have no doubt that the war which was forced on the State of Israel was one of many achievements and which changed for the better and significantly the situation in the south of Lebanon and the security of the residents of the northern border.
You will see, time will return to you that which was taken away by the public sentiment.
I wish you success in the future, and I am certain that your dedication to society, the State and realization of Zionism will produce a great contribution later on.
Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi,
The Government of Israel is entrusting you with its most valuable asset, of which there is no equal to the weight of responsibility and no greater privilege: that of command of the Israel Defense Forces. The gravity and significance of the decision to appoint the Chief of General Staff obligated the Minister of Defense and me to a thorough process of examining candidates and consulting with experts in the field of defense.
Your appointment was authorized unanimously by the Government when I had no doubts that you were the right choice, the most appropriate and one that promised the IDF the best leadership.
I will not list all your talents and accomplishments, your career as a bold fighter and brave commander of the infantry. The fact that you are a “Golani” is an identification card which needs no more proof, and in your role in the General Staff and as Director General of the Ministry of Defense, you have proven your wisdom, leadership and inspiration.
You will need all these as you take the helm of leadership, for the times are complex and he who holds the helm must be a skilled captain and inspire a confidence which will fan a large wind in the sails of the IDF.
The State of Israel faces tremendous challenges and complex dangers. Its army, the army of the people, stands up for it as a reinforced defensive wall.
The IDF must hasten to learn all the lessons from the war and implement change in order to stand fully competent and ready to face the challenges and dangers.
The army’s role is to be ready for war and the Government’s role is to prevent it through diplomacy, and one is dependent on the other.
Maximum preparedness for war is the army’s most important contribution to achieving peace. One result of such preparedness is achieving effective deterrence and distancing the dangers of war; another result is to provide space for political maneuvering to the Government as a boon for advancing the peace process.
The first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion, already said this: “The basic condition for achieving peace between us and the Arabs is by creating conditions which will remove from the hearts of our neighbors the dream that Israel can be annihilated. That is why I view the improvement of the IDF as a mission of peace.”
My Government allocated the greatest number of resources it could afford to defense so that it could implement the lessons, equip itself and strengthen itself, train the reserves, restock supplies and nurture the IDF’s advantage in quality, both human and technological.
The success of the “Hetz” missile system provides the State of Israel with an effective defensive envelope, and in the coming years, additional systems will be developed and integrated into operational service in the IDF to defend the home front and intercept short-range missiles.
At the same time, the IDF will be required to continue its determined and ongoing fight against terror organizations and prepare to defend against any possible developments in the north, even if unforeseen.
I take this opportunity to address the citizens of Israel. The IDF was, and remains, a pillar and melting pot of Israeli society. The IDF is the most moving and fascinating meeting point of all sectors of the people and population of the State of Israel. Let us not support those who try to besmirch it and turn it into a punching bag.
The IDF is the purest representation of our people, one with a magnificent legacy, strength and power, a people which knew, knows and will always know how to unite and march together into a future of security, peace and well-being.
Today more than ever, the IDF needs an atmosphere of togetherness and public support, to encourage the regular service, field units and the reserves.
For the IDF was strong and remains the only steadfast guarantee of the existence, security and prosperity of the State of Israel, and of achieving the longed for peace.
You have much work, Chief of General Staff, and time is of the essence. However, you have proven abilities, you have the trust of the people and the army, and are supported by the blessings and good wishes of each citizen of Israel.
Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi,
“Gird your sword upon your thigh!”
Good luck.
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