The IDF got a new chief on Wednesday - Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, the 19th man to have the honor of leading the Israel Defense Forces.
By all accounts, Ashkenazi is extremely popular with IDF field commanders. May the Almighty grant him wisdom and strength to go along with that popularity.
He is going to need it.
Problem is that after last summer’s debacle in Lebanon, most Israeli reservists - fathers, husbands and sons who put their lives on the line to defend the nation - feel apprehensive about being sent again into battle.
It didn’t used to be that way. It wasn’t that way prior to and during the last war.
But as the upper echelons of the political and military leadership increasingly tied the hands of the reservists in the field as they battled to destroy Hizb’allah, those same reservists began to feel that they had been slapped in the face, cynically used as political pawns.
They could have won. They should have won. But instead so many of them died without achieving victory so that Ehud Olmert, Amir Peretz and other would not be too badly tarnished in the international press.
May Gabi Ashkenazi have the strength, wisdom and fortitude to lead his men to victory even when the politicians are only looking out for themselves.
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8 comments so far ↓
1 Charles Wesley // Feb 15, 2007 at 1:07 am
Ryan ,
A leader can be the difference in victory and annihilation . Also the relationship with the Lord
is a definning factor as well as following the instructions handed down preceeding the event .
Can such a leader as Joshua be found in Israel today ?
2 Nathan // Feb 15, 2007 at 5:26 am
I believe the change of military leadership along with some much needed political change will result in the Hizbullah being destroyed. Syria and little mini Assad will stay home as they did the last one. The difference is Hizbullah will fight and be destroyed. Syria will not make such a risk. We must acknowledge the fact that Syria has never been successful in prolonged conflict with Israel. Syria can do nothing but give money to the little Hizbullah rats. Plus they are to busy pleasuring the Iranian mullahs and they won’t risk losing their position they have in the middle east. Assad does know that he has it pretty good compared to some of the other dictators, he knows that Iran has pushed itself to far and they will be destroyed by the United States and Israel. He will wait his turn and once Iran is gone Syria next to Egypt will be the power brokers in the middle east hood. Finally if Israel can ignore the rest of the world when they fight the next fight then she will win. I am more than happy to spend my vacation this summer fighting alongside Israeli troops so ISRAEL if you start running low I will be at the King David Hotel.
3 Joyce // Feb 15, 2007 at 7:12 am
I hope, and pray, that Ashkenazi will be a strong, and courageous leader for the IDF. Israel definitely needs someone, who will hopefully do what’s best for them, and not for the politicians.
4 Bobbie // Feb 15, 2007 at 5:26 pm
MY PRAYER IS THAT THIS MAN HAS THE SAME GOD FEARING HEART THAT SHARON HAD AT ONE TIME, ONLY THING SHARON GOT MESSED UP WITH POLITICS AND FORGOT ABOUT HIS GOD. MAY OUR GOD STAND BETWEEN ISRAEL AND THE ARABS AND SHOW THE WORLD THAT HE IS “THE GREAT I AM”.
GOD BLESS YOU MR. ASHKENAZI, AND MAY YOU LOOK TO OUR GOD FOR YOUR STRENGTH AND LEADERSHIP OF THE IDF, AND TURN A DEAF EAR TO THE POLITIANS.
5 Nurit Greenger // Feb 15, 2007 at 5:29 pm
Enough is enough! Set politics aside and fight a war to WIN BIG! We need another Six Days War!
Good Luck to all of us! Go IDF go!
6 Carlos // Feb 15, 2007 at 7:31 pm
Leaders such as Joshua are rare to come by in these days. I pray that Israeli leaders can brave the storm of contraversy surrounding the temple mount and not back down. The rebuilding of the gate and opposition thereof is only the beginning. The claims made my Muslims that structural damage may be caused to surronding walls if reparations are made is nothing short of ridiculous. They themselves as well as the PLO have been excavating the temple mount for years beneath their library, south and eastern walls. It is time for Jerusalem to rise and shine for its Light has come. Without a doubt, the temple mount belongs to Israel, has always belonged and has never ceased to belong. It had merely been on “loan” and now the time has arrived to collect payment. I pray that a true Joshua arises.
7 Nathan // Feb 16, 2007 at 7:38 am
Cheers Nurit! I could not agree more.
8 God Servant // Apr 19, 2007 at 12:49 am
May Almighty God grant this man the wisdom and strength he’s going to need for the coming battle(s).
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