Peaceful protest: During Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech today (Thursday) at the "Order of Wings" ceremony marking the graduation of Pilot Course 186, the audience turned their backs to him in protest. However, he also received applause from some of the audience.
Live completion of pilot course \\ Credit: IDF Spokesperson
Netanyahu speaking at the graduation ceremony of Pilot Course 186, photo: Oren Ben Hakon
President Isaac Herzog spoke at the ceremony and addressed insubordination in the IDF: "The challenges of Israeli unity come at this time from a number of directions, and some of them unfortunately permeate the IDF. In the context of the controversy that polarizes Israeli society, I would like to say: The right to protest within the limits of the law is a basic and inalienable right in every democratic state, and of course in Israel. It is available to every citizen, and certainly to reservists. But threats of refusal and non-volunteerism have no place because they undermine all of us and weaken our security resilience."
Defense Minister Yoav Galant addressed the Iranian threat in his speech: "Iran has reached an advanced state in the development of its nuclear program. We will not tolerate and will not allow nuclear weapons in the hands of Iran. I make it clear to our enemies and friends: When it comes to the existence and integrity of the State of Israel, in the face of an emerging nuclear threat, all options are on the table. We will continue to strengthen and deepen security cooperation with our friends, but we will retain responsibility for our fate."
IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevy at the "Order of Wings" ceremony, photo: Oren Ben Hakon
IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevy said at the ceremony: "Today you are completing this course, a long and complex training. You are taking off on a mission for the next thirty years, you will fly during them in regular and reserve duty, and I know that you will always stand up when you are called upon to defend the country – this principle is based on the IDF."
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