Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir strongly condemned today (Thursday) the repulsive incitement article published this morning in the Haaretz newspaper against the commander of the Central Command, Major General Avi Balut, and the shameful statements that accompanied it.
The article was written by the extreme left-wing journalist Gideon Levy, under the title "Oberkommandant Avi Blut, Champion of Blood, War Criminal.".
The IDF spokesman's statement said: "The Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen. Eyal Zamir, strongly condemns the horrifying and inciting publication against the Commander of Central Command, Maj. Gen. Avi Balut, and condemns the shameful statements against him.".
""Major General Balut is a first-rate, ethical and moral combat officer who has worked for many years, day and night, for the security of the State of Israel and its residents, and in particular the residents of Judea and Samaria. The use of distorted images against him crosses every red line.
""The IDF is working, and will continue to work, to eradicate terrorism in Judea and Samaria, while upholding the law and its values. The attempt to question its actions or cast blame on Major General Balut harms a public servant who dedicates his life to the state, and is completely unacceptable.".
Levy wrote a hateful article in which he claimed that "with his drooping cap, his blood-curdling eloquence, his boundless arrogance, and his sick double standards, he ordered the production of 'design actions' so that 'they would be deterred.'".
He further accused that Balut allows "thugs to pave illegal roads to their outposts.".
Levy claimed that Balut and the settlers "are from the same village, the same mop of hair, and the same drooping kippa. When you appoint an officer like Balut to the Central Command, you appoint a settler assistant.".
Levy added: "How do you sleep at night, General, with this racist morality? This is what my husband learned: The Jews are the masters of the land. The settlers are allowed to set fire to, destroy, uproot and murder as they please. Every man has a name, given to him by God. This bloody general is now changing the face of the West Bank and the moral portrait of the entire country. Perhaps he will be appointed to be the next genocidal warlord, after Gaza.".
Prime Minister Netanyahu also condemned the article. A statement from the Prime Minister's Office said: "The newspaper 'Haaretz' does not allow freedom of expression - it allows incitement without a break.
Prime Minister Netanyahu strongly rejects the despicable accusations against the commander of the Central Command, Major General Avi Balut, and against the settlers in Judea and Samaria. These are anti-Semitic blood libels that characterize our enemies in the world.
"The Prime Minister supports and strengthens Major General Balut and the IDF fighters who work every day to eradicate terrorism in Judea and Samaria. They do so with determination and uncompromising morality, and we all salute them.".
Defense Minister Israel Katz also issued a condemnation: "I reject with disgust the despicable attacks of the Haaretz newspaper on Central Command Major General Avi Balut against his activities and the IDF's activities against Palestinian terrorism in Judea and Samaria.
I fully support Major General Avi Balut and all IDF commanders and soldiers in Judea and Samaria, who are working resolutely to protect the Jewish settlers and the security of the State of Israel in accordance with government policy - an activity that has resulted in a decrease of approximately 80% in terrorist attacks in Judea and Samaria and saved many lives.
Haaretz newspaper's attempt to discredit him and the IDF is spreading a despicable blood libel, real anti-Semitic incitement, which serves the propaganda of our enemies and weakens the fight against terror.
"The IDF is the protective wall of the Jewish people, and we cannot allow any hostile factor, domestic or foreign, to challenge its legitimacy or the righteousness of our path.".
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