IDF Cancelling All Passover Leaves
Monkey in the Middle: IDF Cancelling All Passover Leaves.
Some thing’s up. Chief of Staff Benny Gantz has done something that hasn’t been done in many years. He has cancelled ALL leaves for Passover.
Chief of Staff Benny Gantz has ordered all IDF units to cancel their traditional Passover breaks so that they can operate in full capacity over the upcoming holiday, Yedioth Ahronoth reported Wednesday.
The implication of the decision is that for the first time in many years, all IDF units will maintain their regular operations and remain on full alert throughout the holiday.
As result of the unexpected decision, thousands of soldiers at various IDF headquarters and bases will have to report for duty as usual in order to allow their units to operate with no interruption.
IDF officials dismissed suggestions that the decision is related to operational circumstances or preparations for military maneuvers. The army said Chief of Staff Gantz made the call after asserting that he does not accept the notion of an army-wide Passover vacation.
However, IDF soldiers who received the news Tuesday could not be convinced that the timing of the decision was arbitrary.
Notably, German Defense Minister Thomas de Maiziere on Tuesday said that after meeting Israeli counterpart Ehud Barak, he was more concerned about the possibility of an Israeli strike on Iran.
Over the years, an army-wide break during Passover became a tradition followed by all major military units, including the Air Force, Navy and intelligence corps. The IDF’s headquarters in Tel Aviv is also traditionally deserted during the holiday.
But as noted, the longtime tradition will be broken this year, as soldiers will have to divide their vacation days among themselves in order to ensure that their units maintain their full capacity to operate if needed.
Every military man will tell you that if you want rumors to run rampant you cancel all leaves. I could speculate for hours on this but I won’t. I’ll let you, my truth seekers to put 2+2 together. I hope it equals 4.
WarSclerotic 
March 28, 2012 at 11:05 PM
Is very simple : IDF doesn’t want to be taken by surprise by an iranian action ; its completely natural and we expected this measure.
March 29, 2012 at 10:19 AM
Luis that’s exactly how I read the situation but not being Jewish, I was hesitant to comment.
After reading this article last night, I read up on the Passover, the Counting of Omer and Shavuot and learnt just how significant this time is.
My natural agnosticism made me think of yet another quote from Terry Pratchett, this one imparted by the golem Dorfl in Feet of Clay:
“Either all days are holy or none are, I haven’t decided yet.”
Everywhere I look I see the hypocrisy of people switching religion on and off. Maybe Nietzsche was right and the gods really are dead. At least in our minds.
March 29, 2012 at 4:57 PM
Dear Steve, first thanx for taking interest in my little observation from yesterday. Second, the real God is not dead. He was from the deepest times we can imagine, He is present and He will be forever. There is a covenant between Him and the people of Israel which is still in power. But sometimes, when the times are especially hard and is a life danger, then, the people can take certain steps to protect themselves. I wasn’t surprised at all when the Pesach leaves were cancelled. I would be very surprised if not. My best regards, Luis.
March 30, 2012 at 2:47 AM
Dear Luis, thank-you for your response and apologies for the tardiness of my reply but you gave me quite a few things to think about. You may care to read my comments on “Western World is Blind” for further insight into my religious views if you have time.
First I Googled “thou shalt not kill Torah” and the top site showed the 6th Commandment’s use of the word “ratsah” as distinguished from “harag” and the rationale of the interpretations.
Next, while modifying the search to “killing in Torah”, I stumbled across The King’s Torah and while its existence didn’t surprise me, its popularity (Haaretz) did.
When I finally got to “killing in Torah”, I found the first two sites extremely interesting. I appreciate that many reading this wouldn’t countenance having a website called “Evils of the Torah” on their screens, but it is a must for anyone who considers themselves a thinker or an intellectual. N.B. the bit about the plagues. The second site balances it up.
I am not being flippant when I say that I am somewhat distressed by what I have learnt. It is oh so easy to see that my thoughts could be perceived as “enemy of Jews” so what is to stop me from being killed? And how different is that from my fears about Jihadis?
Seriously, can someone please tell me.
I don’t set out to offend, I just love challenging people’s preconceptions and having mine challenged too.
Peace Luis, to one and all.