Netanyahu avoids committing to Locker Report recommendations
Netanyahu avoids committing to Locker Report recommendations
By Tom Dolev Jul 27, 2015 Via Jerusalem Online
Netanyahu will not commit to the Locker Report recommendations Photo Credit: Flash 90 / Channel 2 News
(While Netanyahu urges the US Congress to get tough on Iran to the point of military action, pressure is building back home to cut military spending. – LS)
For the first time since its publication, the Israeli Prime Minister addressed the controversy-sparking report that called for vast reforms in the IDF, claiming that he will study both the Locker Commission’s Report and the IDF’s report before making a decision.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Locker Commission Report to examine Israel’s security budget for the first time today and did not commit to adopting the report recommendations. “Yohanan Locker did an excellent job, but the IDF also did an important job,” Netanyahu stated. “I will study both reports and will then reach a decision.”
“Yohanan Locker… worked for a year with excellent people in order to examine how best to deal with the IDF’s security problems from a budgetary standpoint and with regards to internal reforms,” Netanyahu stressed. “Meanwhile, the IDF under the Chief of General Staff and with the guidance of Israel’s Defense Minister did a very important job and prepared a plan of its own for a perennial outline.”
“The challenges in the region have changed,” Netanyahu added. “It is true that armies have disappeared and new armies have risen. That is why we must train them [soldiers] in force structure and development, in weaponry and fighting doctrine, in the IDF’s preparation for a new era when we know we have both budgetary needs and budgetary constraints.”
Last week, Israeli Defense Minister Moshe (Bogie) Ya’alon attacked the Locker report conclusions. “The Locker Report is superficial, highly unbalanced and completely detached from the reality of the State of Israel,” he emphasized. “If the report’s conclusions are implemented, it would be gambling on the safety of the citizens of Israel. It will make it impossible for the IDF and the security system to deal with the threats facing the State of Israel and its citizens.”
Meanwhile, members of the Locker Commission came to the defense of their report and refuted the claims against it. “We have not come to butt heads with the IDF. We must address the report recommendations practically,” claimed commission member Esther Dominisini last week. “This report is a proper balance between the army’s needs, the market’s capabilities and the level of security the State of Israel will require.”
In the Locker Report, the commission recommended increasing the security budget to a record 59 billion shekels for each year in the next five years, lowering the retirement age from the IDF, converting early pensions to bonuses and shortening male soldiers’ obligatory service to two years.
In addition, the commission recommended making several financial reforms in the military that it claims would save the IDF some 10 billion shekels in the next five years. The committee also recommended reducing the number of reserve units, changing pension packages and hiring civilian companies for different projects in the IDF so that its soldiers can focus on essential issues.
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WarSclerotic 
July 28, 2015 at 6:19 PM
Well sure. Now that Iran will have a Nuclear Weapon all the readiness and secrecy isn’t needed anymore. I wonder what ‘essential issues’ the report suggests the IDF focus on? Delivering meals to the elderly? Palestinian midnight basketball? Having their Sappers shore up smuggling tunnels?
Sounds to me like the IDF is a bit too successful… and there needs to be ‘more transparency’. They should contact Hillary and have her set up Private Servers for their Intelligence Apparatus. That should save Shekels out the Whazoo.
July 28, 2015 at 6:43 PM
I think what they’re arguing for is more financial accountability and austerity. The same is happening here in the USA. Military cuts in the face of heightened threats from rogue nations? That’s the politics that drive folks like Hillary Clinton.
Agree or not, it’s ironic that in light of all these existential threats, BOTH countries have elements calling for cuts in military spending. Makes you wonder just how much they feel threatened.
July 28, 2015 at 7:18 PM
I don’t think Liberals fell thretatened at all. Hayak had it right… it’s a Fatal Conceit. If you recall, Bill Clinton bragged anbout reducing the size of government. All of those reductions were military. I guess it depends on what partts of the government you believe to be necessary.
I understand the accountability argument, but all too often it is used to undermine effectiveness… especially when certain organizations outside of ideological favor are particularly effective.
July 29, 2015 at 2:40 AM
Blaming BIBI ?
July 29, 2015 at 8:07 AM
Nope. Netanyahu is far from what we consider a Liberal. My point is adherants to Leftist Ideology often attack those institutions they dislike by way of Austerity and Accountability… two things they never, never, never, seem to care about when it comes to programs that support their political agenda.
July 29, 2015 at 4:49 PM
Reblogged this on boudicabpi2015 and commented:
Netanyahu avoids committing to Locker Report recommendations