Israeli Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi spoke about the complex reality in Israel despite the fact that there is a relative calm along the borders between Lebanon and occupied Palestine.
Israeli Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi spoke about the complex reality in Israel despite the fact that there is a relative calm along the borders between Lebanon and occupied Palestine during a conversation with high-school students while visiting the northern city of Migdal Haemek. "On the one hand we have relative calm along the borders, and on the other hand Hezbollah is gaining power, Syria is extending its control over the radical block and although Hamas is restrained, there are still incidents like the one in Gaza this week," Ashkenazi said. "This reality obligates the Israeli army to remain strong as Israel takes the Iranian threats of its annihilation seriously and it is ready to make the appropriate response if it needs to," he continued. A senior high school student asked the Ashkenazi how he is planning to deal with the repeated ‘threats’ against Israel. "It's not the first time that there's an attempt and a call to destroy the State of Israel and the IDF is the answer to those who make such calls. We are aware of these calls, especially coming from (Iranian President) Ahmadinejad, and are taking them seriously," Ashkenazi replied. "I think the IDF is probably the most moral army in the world, but today the enemy is hiding in built-up areas and uses civilians as human shields," Ashkenazi said. "If a soldier takes a gun and shoots a woman, it is forbidden. Luckily, in 99% of the incidents, the IDF acts correctly," Ashkenazi added.Ashkenazi: Despite Relative Calm, Israel in Complex Reality
