The withdrawal of IDF troops from Hevron as the next stage of the "Gaza and Bethlehem First" agreement has been put on hold. Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer accepted the IDF’s recommendations against the pullout, and troops will remain in Hevron at least until the end of the holiday season (Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot), 5-6 weeks from now. He noted ongoing intelligence warnings of attacks planned by terror cells within the city. Talks between Israeli and PA officials will continue, however; a meeting will be held in the coming days to discuss how to further ease restrictions on the Bethlehem population.
Several army officers spoke out late last week against a withdrawal from Hevron, and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Moshe Yaalon didn't like it. He wrote a letter to top officers in the army's General Staff saying that such criticism of government decisions is un-democratic. "It is important that the government hear the army's position before it makes a decision," he wrote. "But criticism by IDF officials of the government echelon after a decision is made is not in keeping with proper administration, and is contrary to the principles of democracy."
Several army officers spoke out late last week against a withdrawal from Hevron, and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Moshe Yaalon didn't like it. He wrote a letter to top officers in the army's General Staff saying that such criticism of government decisions is un-democratic. "It is important that the government hear the army's position before it makes a decision," he wrote. "But criticism by IDF officials of the government echelon after a decision is made is not in keeping with proper administration, and is contrary to the principles of democracy."