By Jonathan Ariel
August 16, 2006
The news that the Chief of Staff Lt. General Dan Halutz phoned his bank to liquidate his stock portfolio as soon as he knew that war was inevitable is one of the most despicable acts in the history of the IDF.
The CoS crossed every moral, legal and ethical red line. The fact that, two hours after several soldiers were killed and two captured, the CoS's first priority was worrying about his bank balance is reprehensible. By taking advantage of the fact that he was privy, by virtue of his position, to knowledge that a war was imminent to sell his portfolio, before the public had become aware of the situation, may make his act criminal.
His public response has made a bad situation even worse. Instead of apologizing when the news broke, admitting that he had shown a lack of good judgment and sensitivity, he instead attacked the messenger, accusing the bank employee who leaked the story and the media of conducting a witchhunt against him.
The rather underwhelming performance of the IDF, and the severe shortcomings that came to light during the war, had raised questions as to Halutz's competence as CoS.
Now it goes far beyond doubts as to his professional abilities. Lt. General Halutz has proven himself to be morally and ethically bankrupt. Such a man cannot lead any army, especially not one which may soon be called upon to fight another, possibly major war. He may still command troops, but he no longer, and never will again, command any respect.
Lt. General Halutz's fighter jet is going down fast, and he will no doubt try to take others with him. That is inevitable, and he is not alone in responsibility for the broader failures of the war. But he has soiled his credibility and undercut his authority to pass judgement on anyone.
The sooner the former Air Force commander presses his eject button and bails out of public life, the better for the rest of us.
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