Brigadier-General Ariel Heiman, the chief IDF reserves officer, stated today that the motivation among reserves soldiers is very high and that there have been no instances of ideologically-motivated refusal to serve. According to the Brigadier-General, between 85 to 95 percent of the reservists have appeared for duty, with a limited number released by their direct commanders for personal reasons.
Chief of the IDF General Staff Shaul Mofaz addressed all IDF soldiers yesterday. Some excerpts follow:
\"For over a year and a half, the State of Israel has been subjected to a terrorist offensive, initiated by the Palestinian Authority. This terrorist offensive aims at killing innocent civilians indiscriminately in order to achieve political goals. We cannot accept terror and violence. We have no choice but to fulfill the basic obligation which every State must fulfill for its citizens: To ensure their right to live in Peace and
Security.
Therefore in the very midst of the Holiday of Passover, the Israel Defense Forces, acting upon the decision of the Government of Israel, has undertaken Operation Defensive Shield, with the objective of striking at the terrorist infrastructure in order to protect the citizens of Israel. You, the enlisted personnel and officers of the Israel Defense Forces, together with the Israel Police, Border Police and
General Security Service, are operating to arrest wanted terrorists, strike at the perpetrators of terrorist attacks and those who dispatch them, and to uncover terrorist weapons and the workshops that produce them.
...Reserve officers and enlisted personnel of the Israel Defense Forces, the nature of this type of warfare is complex and demanding. The mission at hand has placed a heavy burden upon the units, officers and enlisted personnel of the regular component of the IDF. It was therefore decided to call up reserve units for this mission. The spirit of volunteerism and the number of those who have reported for duty are praiseworthy and bring us all honor and security. This response bears unequivocal testimony to the
strength and unity of Israeli society.
Regular and Reserve Officers and Enlisted personnel of the Israel Defense Forces, the people of Israel entrust their security into your hands; and into the hands of your comrades in the other security forces of our Nation. Know that we are undertaking this operation in order to protect our homes, to protect our rights and those of our parents, brothers, sisters and children to live in our in land in Peace and Security.
Shaul Mofaz, Lieutenant-General
Chief of the IDF General Staff
18 Nissan 5762 / 31 March 2002
Chief of the IDF General Staff Shaul Mofaz addressed all IDF soldiers yesterday. Some excerpts follow:
\"For over a year and a half, the State of Israel has been subjected to a terrorist offensive, initiated by the Palestinian Authority. This terrorist offensive aims at killing innocent civilians indiscriminately in order to achieve political goals. We cannot accept terror and violence. We have no choice but to fulfill the basic obligation which every State must fulfill for its citizens: To ensure their right to live in Peace and
Security.
Therefore in the very midst of the Holiday of Passover, the Israel Defense Forces, acting upon the decision of the Government of Israel, has undertaken Operation Defensive Shield, with the objective of striking at the terrorist infrastructure in order to protect the citizens of Israel. You, the enlisted personnel and officers of the Israel Defense Forces, together with the Israel Police, Border Police and
General Security Service, are operating to arrest wanted terrorists, strike at the perpetrators of terrorist attacks and those who dispatch them, and to uncover terrorist weapons and the workshops that produce them.
...Reserve officers and enlisted personnel of the Israel Defense Forces, the nature of this type of warfare is complex and demanding. The mission at hand has placed a heavy burden upon the units, officers and enlisted personnel of the regular component of the IDF. It was therefore decided to call up reserve units for this mission. The spirit of volunteerism and the number of those who have reported for duty are praiseworthy and bring us all honor and security. This response bears unequivocal testimony to the
strength and unity of Israeli society.
Regular and Reserve Officers and Enlisted personnel of the Israel Defense Forces, the people of Israel entrust their security into your hands; and into the hands of your comrades in the other security forces of our Nation. Know that we are undertaking this operation in order to protect our homes, to protect our rights and those of our parents, brothers, sisters and children to live in our in land in Peace and Security.
Shaul Mofaz, Lieutenant-General
Chief of the IDF General Staff
18 Nissan 5762 / 31 March 2002