Despite his outwardly calm composure, most analysts are in agreement that IDF Chief of Staff Halutz will not be able to remain in his post much longer. Two senior IDF commanders have resigned, and considerable numbers of reservists who served in the war in Lebanon are calling for him to follow suit.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Halutz stated, “I am not in a popularity contest,” adding that he is planning to continue serving as IDF chief. Public opinion polls show 70% of Israelis believe Halutz should step down in light of the IDF’s failures in the war.
“It is much easier to fight your enemies than one’s colleagues,” stated Halutz, making little effort to hide his anger towards senior officers who are pointing a finger of blame at him.
Eligible Candidates for IDF Top Spot
There are a number of eligible candidates capable of replacing Halutz, with Gabi Ashkenazi, 52, leading the list. Now serving as the director-general of the Defense Ministry, the retired major-general served as the IDF's Deputy Chief of Staff when he was passed over for the top spot in favor of Halutz.
Much anger accompanied the decision, in the spring of 1995, to appoint Halutz to the post. He was the first IDF commander who did not rise through the military ranks in the infantry, but rather the air force. Many expressed concerns that a former air force commander might lack the experience to command the ground forces, but then-Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz said he was confident Halutz would bring modernization and reforms to the IDF as he did in the air force.
One reason Ashkenazi is viewed as the leading candidate to succeed Halutz is the fact that he works side-by-side with Defense Minister Amir Peretz, who must approve the appointment. On the other hand, Peretz, as well, faces calls for his own resignation.
Earlier in the week, much-admired Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Yanush Ben-Gal called on Halutz to resign “immediately.” Ben-Gal called for the immediate appointment of Ashkenazi to "save the IDF from itself."
Other candidates to succeed Halutz in the event that he resigns include:
* Southern District Commander Maj.-Gen. Yoav Gallant, 48, a former naval commando;
* Maj.-Gen. Shlomo Yannai, 54, now in the private sector, who left the IDF when he headed the military’s planning branch;
* Ground Forces Commander Maj.-Gen. Benny Gantz, 47;
* Maj.-Gen. Dan Harel, 50, now serving as the IDF military attache to Washington, who left the military as Southern Region Commander, in which position he oversaw the implementation of the Disengagement Plan;
* Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Doron Almog, 56, a former Southern Region Commander, appointed by Halutz to investigate the IDF performance in the war;
* Amos Malka, 53, now in the private sector, retired at the rank of major-general after serving as chief of intelligence; and
* IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Moshe Kaplinsky, 49, viewed by all as a most capable infantry officer who rose through the ranks of the Golani Brigade.
While Kaplinsky seems to be the obvious candidate, as he is now serving as deputy commander, some believe the next chief of staff must be someone who did not play an active role in the war, such as Ashkenazi.
Almog: Halutz Made Mistakes
In an interview in the daily Yediot Acharonot, Almog stated he spent hours upon hours with Halutz, and has admiration for the memorable air force commander. Nevertheless, Almog said, "professionally speaking, in his role as chief of staff he made mistakes."
Chief of Intelligence May be Compelled to Resign
Chief of Military Intelligence Maj.-Gen. Amos Yadlin is also being fingered as a senior commander who may be called upon to step down. Like Halutz, Yadlin was an air force fighter pilot, not an infantry officer, contributing to what many former commanders believe was his inability to properly dissect intelligence data. Preliminary investigations into the war cited major intelligence foul-ups, including incorrect analysis and major delays in the dissemination of information. Some senior analysts believe he will be the next target as Almog continues his investigation into the performance of senior commanders.
Is the IDF Ready for Another Conflict?
Former Northern District Commander Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Yossi Peled told reporters this week that he is less concerned about who will step down or be thrown out next, and more about what steps must be taken immediately to rehabilitate the IDF, restore the military’s deterrence abilities, and rebuild the army from the bottom up.
Peled warned the next war with Hizbullah may only be months away, yet the IDF is nowhere near ready.
GSS (General Security Service/ Shin Bet) Yuval Diskin said this week that Hamas and other Gaza-based terror organizations are preparing for a war with Israeli forces on the southern front. He stated that 33 tons of military grade explosives have been smuggled into Gaza along with 20,000 automatic weapons, one million bullets, anti-tank rockets, shoulder-held rockets and an array of weaponry.