Do we deserve our IDF soldiers?

Key Findings:

Several issues regarding accountability within the IDF and the Israeli government are unpacked in this article – namely, that high-ranking officers have not been held accountable for their role in the breach on October 7, whilst lower-ranking IDF soldiers have been reprimanded and held responsible for their actions on the ground by those higher-ranked officers. 

For example, a lower-ranked officer Barak Hiram has gained negative media attention and heavy criticism for his decisions during battle on Oct 7. Regardless of the defensibility of Hiram’s actions, the soldier had to respond quickly to the ambush, and he fought bravely on the ground. The higher-ups who should have stepped down from their positions should not be contributing to the pile-on of criticism. 

Likewise, the Mount Meron disaster in Lag Baomer of 2021, where 45 citizens tragically died, illuminated the Israeli public to the fact that those who were found responsible can and do still hold their government positions. 

The lack of accountability in positions of power within Israel in general have been ongoing, and are now pervasive. Ultimately, these tragedies should inspire change in the form of higher accountability.