February 23, 2023
Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu,
Minister of Defense, Israel Katz,
dear families,
commanders,
and mainly you - the new officers,
the commanders of tomorrow.
When I was an officer cadet—just like you, thirty-eight years ago—I had to choose a book to read and write about for my commanders in the course.
I chose the book “Truth in the Shadow of War” by Yaakov Hasdai, an Israeli hero who fought in several wars, including the Yom Kippur War, after which he became a member of the Agranat Commission.
"At that time," Hasdai wrote, "I was deeply concerned upon realizing that no serious attempt had been made to understand and analyze the lessons of the war."
The book left a profound and lasting impression on me, and it was at the forefront of my mind when I made the decision to conduct inquiries during an ongoing multi-front war—thorough and rigorous inquiries that would enable high-quality, in-depth learning.
The fear of conducting inquiries is no different from a conscious choice to fail in the future. Inquiry is an integral part of military action—it is how we learn, and through it, we improve. "Criticism," Hasdai wrote, "no matter how harsh, is one of the means of strengthening and building—provided that its purpose is not to undermine and destroy, but to construct and create."
Every combat commander knows firsthand that warfare is no trivial matter. It involves risks and a tremendous responsibility for the lives of their soldiers.
The ability to quickly recover from failure, to rise and push forward again—this is what makes a commander a leader. It is what drives their troops to follow them, without needing to be told.
Where human lives are at stake, learning is not optional. Be quick to learn. Be determined to correct mistakes. Seek out constructive, strengthening criticism.
This is what we do, and this is what is expected of you as well.
I’m reminded of great people who were with me in the officers' course, one of them being Eyal Weiss, an outstanding officer who fell in combat as the Commanding Officer of the Duvdevan Unit in Samaria. We were good friends: he, secular from Tel Aviv, and I, religious from Jerusalem. His house was different than the house I grew up in. Throughout the course, we had many conversations on this subject, also with Malka, his mother. The difference did not spark criticism in me, but rather curiosity, and I felt that our common ground bridged any disagreement.
Like you, we were young and determined soldiers, willing to give our lives for the country. Similar to you, we were somewhat a reflection of Israeli society, but unlike you, as young commanders, we were hardly exposed to external opinions and considerations.
We encountered the headlines only in the weekend newspapers, if we went home, whereas you - are flooded with information at every moment, with alternative truths and outspoken criticism that deepens the debate over your actions.
It is difficult and incorrect to turn back the wheel, but I would like you to know how to view the things that you encounter with composure, clarity, and in a professional and distinct manner, and learn to separate the military mission and the commander in charge, from a heated dispute.
In his vision for the establishment of the Jewish battalions, Ze'ev Jabotinsky wrote, "This is one of the most beautiful ideas I have ever encountered in my life—that the Jews themselves will fight for the Land of Israel."
A Jewish soldier was, at the time, a strange combination of words. Trumpeldor was the exception that did not prove the rule.
Jabotinsky’s vision made a difference and created a foundation for the underground movements and subsequently the IDF. An ultra-orthodox combat soldier is an unusual pairing of words, but who said that a modern vision cannot come true?
Who said that a modern vision cannot succeed? The clear security need obliges us to draft as many and as quickly as possible. None of us has the right to pass the problem on to the next generation. The time is now and it demands brave and critical decisions. From its very inception, the IDF has upheld the principle of leading from the front.
This is how I was brought up in the officers’ course - this is how Eyal Weiss, may his memory be a blessing, was killed, this is how we fight in regular and reserve service and this is how we achieved significant accomplishments; In the Gaza Strip, in Lebanon, in Judea and Samaria, in Syria and in distant arenas.
Now, more than ever, it is clear to us all that for the accomplishment of the many missions clear-minded and determined commanders are needed. Be proactive. Choose when to charge forward with full force and when to act with responsibility and wisdom, taking additional time to assess the problem and determine the solution. At times, you will find that this makes the difference between failure and success. We have encountered many such cases in this war, for better or worse.
The way to making these achievements, especially during war, is not about charging like uncontrolled horses, rushing forward indiscriminately and without a precise objective. Whoever thinks that a combat commander’s main purpose is charging forward, will have to bear the consequences and be responsible for the implications.
As a rule, I prefer that you choose to be horsemen: stand tall, take the reins, and lead wisely toward new challenges. If you fall—get back in the saddle and continue, better than before. And in any case—never forget to think.
Cunning and professionalism come from thought. Never give up on it.
We’ve been at war for over 500 days. Over this past week, we were again reminded of the enemy’s cowardice, choosing to hide behind our soldiers in the field but to be brutally evil toward innocents, from the elderly to small babies.
Over the past few days, the children of the Bibas family, Kfir and Ariel, and their mother Shiri were returned to us. They were held in captivity with unforgivable cruelty, along with 83-year-old Oded Lifshitz, one of the founders of Nir Oz who loved this land.
We bow our heads to the Bibas and Lifshitz families, and request their forgiveness for not being able to return their loved ones alive.
There are still 63 hostages in captivity and we will do everything in our power to return them all.
Those standing here before you in formation are the officers of tomorrow. You now are watching them with great pride, maybe with worry.
I thank you for the education and values you have instilled—the values of Zionism, dedication, and excellence.
To you, the course commanders - I thank you for the four months in which you accompanied the course graduates and made them trained officers and high-quality commanders. The results of your hard work, they will present in the field.
Course graduates,
You entered officer training straight from the war, and as of tomorrow, you will return to the various combat zones—but this time as officers and commanders, bearing even greater responsibility on your shoulders.
You stand at the beginning of a new path, one in which you will be required to put into practice all the knowledge and skills you have acquired in recent months, translating them into critical and decisive decisions on the battlefield.
I am proud of you for choosing to continue serving in meaningful roles as commanders and officers in the Israel Defense Forces, during a pivotal time for our nation's future.
Continue to act with bravery and dedication for the people and the land. Carry out your missions successfully and return home safely. We believe in you and are confident in your ability to defend the homeland and restore security. The people of Israel look to you with pride—remember, you are the guardians of the nation and the land. You are the victory generation.
Go forth and succeed!
Minister of Defense, Israel Katz,
dear families,
commanders,
and mainly you - the new officers,
the commanders of tomorrow.
When I was an officer cadet—just like you, thirty-eight years ago—I had to choose a book to read and write about for my commanders in the course.
I chose the book “Truth in the Shadow of War” by Yaakov Hasdai, an Israeli hero who fought in several wars, including the Yom Kippur War, after which he became a member of the Agranat Commission.
"At that time," Hasdai wrote, "I was deeply concerned upon realizing that no serious attempt had been made to understand and analyze the lessons of the war."
The book left a profound and lasting impression on me, and it was at the forefront of my mind when I made the decision to conduct inquiries during an ongoing multi-front war—thorough and rigorous inquiries that would enable high-quality, in-depth learning.
The fear of conducting inquiries is no different from a conscious choice to fail in the future. Inquiry is an integral part of military action—it is how we learn, and through it, we improve. "Criticism," Hasdai wrote, "no matter how harsh, is one of the means of strengthening and building—provided that its purpose is not to undermine and destroy, but to construct and create."
Every combat commander knows firsthand that warfare is no trivial matter. It involves risks and a tremendous responsibility for the lives of their soldiers.
The ability to quickly recover from failure, to rise and push forward again—this is what makes a commander a leader. It is what drives their troops to follow them, without needing to be told.
Where human lives are at stake, learning is not optional. Be quick to learn. Be determined to correct mistakes. Seek out constructive, strengthening criticism.
This is what we do, and this is what is expected of you as well.
I’m reminded of great people who were with me in the officers' course, one of them being Eyal Weiss, an outstanding officer who fell in combat as the Commanding Officer of the Duvdevan Unit in Samaria. We were good friends: he, secular from Tel Aviv, and I, religious from Jerusalem. His house was different than the house I grew up in. Throughout the course, we had many conversations on this subject, also with Malka, his mother. The difference did not spark criticism in me, but rather curiosity, and I felt that our common ground bridged any disagreement.
Like you, we were young and determined soldiers, willing to give our lives for the country. Similar to you, we were somewhat a reflection of Israeli society, but unlike you, as young commanders, we were hardly exposed to external opinions and considerations.
We encountered the headlines only in the weekend newspapers, if we went home, whereas you - are flooded with information at every moment, with alternative truths and outspoken criticism that deepens the debate over your actions.
It is difficult and incorrect to turn back the wheel, but I would like you to know how to view the things that you encounter with composure, clarity, and in a professional and distinct manner, and learn to separate the military mission and the commander in charge, from a heated dispute.
In his vision for the establishment of the Jewish battalions, Ze'ev Jabotinsky wrote, "This is one of the most beautiful ideas I have ever encountered in my life—that the Jews themselves will fight for the Land of Israel."
A Jewish soldier was, at the time, a strange combination of words. Trumpeldor was the exception that did not prove the rule.
Jabotinsky’s vision made a difference and created a foundation for the underground movements and subsequently the IDF. An ultra-orthodox combat soldier is an unusual pairing of words, but who said that a modern vision cannot come true?
Who said that a modern vision cannot succeed? The clear security need obliges us to draft as many and as quickly as possible. None of us has the right to pass the problem on to the next generation. The time is now and it demands brave and critical decisions. From its very inception, the IDF has upheld the principle of leading from the front.
This is how I was brought up in the officers’ course - this is how Eyal Weiss, may his memory be a blessing, was killed, this is how we fight in regular and reserve service and this is how we achieved significant accomplishments; In the Gaza Strip, in Lebanon, in Judea and Samaria, in Syria and in distant arenas.
Now, more than ever, it is clear to us all that for the accomplishment of the many missions clear-minded and determined commanders are needed. Be proactive. Choose when to charge forward with full force and when to act with responsibility and wisdom, taking additional time to assess the problem and determine the solution. At times, you will find that this makes the difference between failure and success. We have encountered many such cases in this war, for better or worse.
The way to making these achievements, especially during war, is not about charging like uncontrolled horses, rushing forward indiscriminately and without a precise objective. Whoever thinks that a combat commander’s main purpose is charging forward, will have to bear the consequences and be responsible for the implications.
As a rule, I prefer that you choose to be horsemen: stand tall, take the reins, and lead wisely toward new challenges. If you fall—get back in the saddle and continue, better than before. And in any case—never forget to think.
Cunning and professionalism come from thought. Never give up on it.
We’ve been at war for over 500 days. Over this past week, we were again reminded of the enemy’s cowardice, choosing to hide behind our soldiers in the field but to be brutally evil toward innocents, from the elderly to small babies.
Over the past few days, the children of the Bibas family, Kfir and Ariel, and their mother Shiri were returned to us. They were held in captivity with unforgivable cruelty, along with 83-year-old Oded Lifshitz, one of the founders of Nir Oz who loved this land.
We bow our heads to the Bibas and Lifshitz families, and request their forgiveness for not being able to return their loved ones alive.
There are still 63 hostages in captivity and we will do everything in our power to return them all.
Those standing here before you in formation are the officers of tomorrow. You now are watching them with great pride, maybe with worry.
I thank you for the education and values you have instilled—the values of Zionism, dedication, and excellence.
To you, the course commanders - I thank you for the four months in which you accompanied the course graduates and made them trained officers and high-quality commanders. The results of your hard work, they will present in the field.
Course graduates,
You entered officer training straight from the war, and as of tomorrow, you will return to the various combat zones—but this time as officers and commanders, bearing even greater responsibility on your shoulders.
You stand at the beginning of a new path, one in which you will be required to put into practice all the knowledge and skills you have acquired in recent months, translating them into critical and decisive decisions on the battlefield.
I am proud of you for choosing to continue serving in meaningful roles as commanders and officers in the Israel Defense Forces, during a pivotal time for our nation's future.
Continue to act with bravery and dedication for the people and the land. Carry out your missions successfully and return home safely. We believe in you and are confident in your ability to defend the homeland and restore security. The people of Israel look to you with pride—remember, you are the guardians of the nation and the land. You are the victory generation.
Go forth and succeed!
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