'Soldier did us proud'
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz praises soldier who protected Palestinian from settler lynch mob with his own body; regarding disengagement, Halutz says, 'It's okay to feel pain; it's okay to hesitate; it's okay to cry – everything's okay except not completing the mission'
GAZA - IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz said the soldiers who protected the Palestinian youth in Gaza from being killed during a violent assault last week exemplified the moral behavior he expects from everyone in the IDF.
Speaking to troops from the Border Police, Golani Infantry Brigade, Armored and Combat Engineering Corps, he said, "I hope that during a similar event, the IDF personnel will emulate what those soldiers did."
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz also addressed the attack on the Palestinian youth and said that it was a shameful act.
However, he said those who defended the youth showed the right IDF values and added: "We'll show zero tolerance and patience for those who cross the line."
Difficult mission
Halutz said he empathizes with the soldiers serving in Gaza.
"Our mission is to continuous security until the moment we are no longer here," he said. "I understand the difficulty of the disengagement mission ahead of us."
The IDF chief of staff said that he expects commanders to rise to the challenge.
"This is a command challenge no less (difficult) than preparation for war against an enemy," he said. "There's no war or enemy here, but it has to be carried out with required sensitivity and the appropriate determination."
Halutz directed his gaze at the soldiers at Neveh Dekalim Hotel - which went back to its original name a week after right-wing activists who called it "Maoz Hayam" were evacuated from there - and said, "It's OK to hurt; it's OK to hesitate; it's OK to cry, and it's OK to do anything, but it is wrong not to fulfill the mission."
Halutz warned that the army would not tolerate conscientious objection and hinted that soldiers not assigned to confront settlers may be involved in disengagement at a later date.
Mofaz told the soldiers that they have full support for all their actions.
"You are the agents of democracy and the rule of law, and you will know how to complete the mission before you despite all it's hardship and pain …"
