Israel needs 'leadership that recognizes failure & seeks change’, IDF Chief Zamir says in hinted criticism of gov't

The public spat between IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir and Defense Minister Israel Katz over the military’s investigations of its performance during Oct. 7, and the halting of senior appointments, does not appear to be over, despite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently meeting with both leaders. 

On Wednesday, Zamir spoke at a memorial ceremony for Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, near Sde Boker. 

During his remarks, Zamir spoke of the need for courageous leadership, in comments that were widely viewed as a swipe at the political echelon’s failure to investigate itself. 

In his speech, the IDF chief spoke of the command responsibility that military leadership must bear. 

“Command responsibility is the ability to move forward – forward with confidence, honesty and humility, even when it is difficult,” Zamir stated.

“Military leadership is a willingness to bear the burden before everyone else. And as Ben-Gurion believed, ‘Leadership is the ability to bear the burden, even when the burden feels too heavy to bear.’ This burden is ours, which is a privilege – we bear it. I bear it. This is a command responsibility that cannot be transferred or shared.” 

Zamir referred to the Oct. 7 massacre and the multi-arena war that Israel has been engaged in following the Hamas attacks, saying there is a need for “courageous, purposeful leadership.” 

“Since that difficult day, the IDF has been fighting and defending in every arena,” he continued.

“Today, it is clear to us beyond any doubt: explanation is not enough, criticism is not enough, courageous, purposeful leadership that changes reality is required. Leadership that both recognizes failure and dares to lead change. Not leadership that scares and drowns, but leadership that lifts, leadership with inspiration. Not leadership that evades, but one that looks the truth in the eye and sets a new direction. Command responsibility is to rebuild. This is the central essence of leadership.” 

Zamir also spoke of the need for command leadership in the IDF, in an apparent reference to the freezing of new appointments and promotions by Defense Minister Israel Katz.  

“Alongside the recognition of pain – we look today with immense pride at the achievements of the IDF. But pride is not complacency. It requires us to be alert to continue building a better and stronger army, with more precise command and with military leadership that looks far and leads the next generation of warriors. This is where command responsibility connects to national growth. This is where military leadership gives rise to a rebirth. Because of responsibility – we need to grow. From responsibility we need to lead, and this is what the IDF does."

Zamir's words come in the background of increasingly public tension between him and Katz over the past week, after the defense minister announced a freeze on all senior appointments and promotions and a reexamination of the findings of the Turgeman report. Netanyahu was forced to intervene, meeting with both separately, in an attempt to reduce the public dispute. However, Zamir’s comments appear to indicate that the incident is far from over. 

Maj.-Gen. (res.) Sami Turgeman, the author of the report, recently spoke with Channel 12 News about the feud, warning that the public disagreement could also damage the military.

"If there are disagreements, we have to sit down and clarify them," Maj.-Gen. Turgeman said.

He also warned that freezing IDF appointments harms the military, stating, "We must not stop the appointments in the IDF."

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