Critical Israeli General Dismissed From Duty
Ryan R. Jones - All Headline News Middle East Correspondent Jerusalem, Israel (AHN) - Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Dan Halutz Wednesday ordered the immediate dismissal of a senior general who earlier in the week criticized Israel's withdrawal from Gaza and the handling of the summer's Lebanon war. According to Ynet, Halutz summoned Maj.-Gen. Yiftah Ron-Tal to explain himself after he openly contradicted Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's assessment that Israel had won its conflict with Hezbollah, and slammed the political leadership for its indecision during the war. After Ron-Tal ignored Halutz's request, the army chief ordered him to attend a disciplinary hearing. When Ron-Tal failed to show up, Halutz ordered his immediate discharge. General Ron-Tal, until yesterday the commander of Israel's ground forces, was due to retire in two months after a 33-year career in the military. He is now expected to join efforts to establish a full independent state commission of inquiry into the conduct and performance of the political and military leaderships during the course of the Lebanon war. Like other officers and reservists, Ron-Tal charges that the government tied the army's hands due to political considerations, denying Israel a clear victory over Hezbollah and costing the lives of more soldiers than necessary.
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