Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit at the Israel Navy base in Haifa. Photos: IDF Spokesperson IDF Spokesperson

IDF Spokesperson

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On Monday (Nov.16), Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during his visit at the Israel Navy base in Haifa, emphasized his criticism of the soldiers of the Nachshon Battalion in the Kfir Brigade who protested against the evacuation of settlements by the IDF.  Prime Minister Netanyahu said that “Israel Defense Forces are based on the concept of command hierarchy.”If you wish to dismiss the IDF – promote disobedience, which could lead to the State's collapse. The army leans on the right to give and receive orders. There is no place for insubordination, it’s that simple.” Army Radio reported that the Chief of the General Staff, Brig. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, also referred to the affair , and said that “There is no place for disobedience and rebelliousness in the army.”

During the visit, Netanyahu, along with the Chief of the General Staff and Deputy Defense Minister, Matan Vilnai, heard reviews from the commander of the Israel Navy, Maj. Gen. Eli Marom, visited a submarine, floated a missile boat and talked with soldiers. “The Navy has changed a lot since last time I was here on a missile boat, and there are important components to maintaining the security of the State of Israel,” said Netanyahu.

In a conversation with a combat soldier in the Navy, the Prime Minister warned that the threat of Iran poses a serious and dangerous threat to the State of Israel, also for peace and stability in the Middle East: “Let there be no doubt, we are the first target, but certainly not the last. Based on the talks I recently held with President Obama in the United States and with Sarkozy in France, I can guarantee that there is growing recognition in the international community.”

Regarding the Nachshon Battalion incident, where soldiers raised political banners against the evacuation of settlements, two soldiers were sent to 30 days detention while four other soldiers sentenced this morning had sentences from 14 to 21 days in jail, and two  more were sentenced to four weeks in detention on their bases.