Major General Yiftah Ron-Tal was recently fired for criticizing the way the Israeli military conducted its war against Lebanon in unauthorized media interviews. The criticism breaches a ban prohibiting Israeli troops from making public comments on political and diplomatic issues. Over 1,100 Lebanese - mostly civilians - were killed by Israel during the 34-day war. He also criticized Israel’s unilateral pull-out from Gaza last year.

General Ron-Tal was the commander of Israeli ground forces and had been due to retire from the army in December. He has said that Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Dan Halutz’s must “accept responsibility” for the “failure” of the war. Defense Minister Amir Peretz backed up Halutz’s decision to immediately discharge General Ron-Tal. “I believe that an officer in uniform must behave as an officer and must not become involved in political issues. When he is released from the army, he can certainly present his positions,” said Defense Minister Peretz, who takes his outdated talking points from the Germans. General Ron-Tal, who decided to resign anyway, wrote the chief of staff that his 33 years in IDF service had been a great privilege and that “in contrast to others we both know, I know when the right time is to depart.”

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