The Israeli’s still beating themselves up after the defeat by Hezbollah.
Top general quits over Israel’s war
A top general resigned yesterday, becoming the first Israeli official to quit over the Lebanon war and fuelling calls for further heads to roll over the conflict that failed to achieve its main aims. Major General Udi Adam, who led Israel’s northern command during the 34-day offensive, submitted his resignation to army chief of staff Dan Halutz as a storm of criticism over the war looked set to spill over into a second month. “The chief of staff has accepted Adam’s request and he will be replaced in accordance with IDF (Israel Defence Forces) procedures,” the army said. “The chief of staff should take General Adam’s example. He admitted to the government that the army was not ready for the war and he has to take responsibility,” National Infrastructure Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer said. Local media reports claimed that Adam stepped down because of differences with Halutz over the conduct of the month-long offensive.
Amihai Ayalon, a leading member of the centre-left Labour party, said his party leader Defence Minister Amir Peretz - widely lambasted for his handling of the war - should also follow Adam’s example. “Amir Peretz should change jobs. General Adam should not be the only one to pay the price of the shortcomings,” he said. Amram Mitzna, a former head of the northern command and ex-mayor of Haifa which was bombarded by Hezbollah attacks during the war, predicted that Adam’s departure was merely the tip of the iceberg for further heads to roll. “It was unavoidable. This campaign was a most wretched campaign and I think he is not the first officer who will end his incumbency … The chief of staff also cannot remain at his post,” he told army radio.