Outgoing Judea Brigade Commander Col. Yariv Ben-Ezra. Photo credit: Ziv Koren
‘When fighting terror, IDF must never lose sight of its ethics’
“Our enemies are relentless and the missions of defense and counterterrorism require we show resolve,” outgoing Judea Brigade commander says • “As a brigade, we have to be sharper, faster, and more ethical,” new brigade commander says.
Shlomi Diaz, News Agencies, and Israel Hayom Staff
The war on terror is relentless but the Israel Defense Forces must never lose sight of its values and ethics, outgoing Judea Brigade Commander Col. Yariv Ben-Ezra said Tuesday at a ceremony marking the end of his time with the brigade. Col. Itzik Cohen, formerly commander of the Arava Brigade, will replace Ben-Ezra.
Judea and Samaria Division Commander Brig. Gen. Lior Carmeli bid farewell to Ben-Ezra, saying, “Yariv, your command over the brigade saw many challenges. You knew the right balance between tensions, always demonstrating professionalism and integrity, sensitivity to the situation, and a broader perspective of the complex reality.”
Welcoming Cohen to the Judea Brigade, Carmeli said, “Itzik, you assume this command with proven capabilities and experience. As this is your second command over a spatial brigade I know you are ready to face the unique challenges in this sector, and I wish you the best of luck.”
Ben-Ezra reviewed his time with the brigade, saying, “Commanding the Judea Brigade is no easy task, and the challenges are many and daily. Our enemies are relentless and the missions of defense and counterterrorism require we show resolve, professionalism, and initiative; that we adapt to daily challenges, and that we be ever ready for newer, more complex challenges.
“Nevertheless, we must never lose sight of our values and ethics as an army, and we must believe in our way. The last week of my command has been one of the most difficult ones in the sector, with terrorists carrying out murderous attacks, and it illustrated how we are here first and foremost to protect the residents of the sector. I can assure the bereaved families that the Judea Brigade will continue to remain vigilant and we will not rest until we find these killers,” he said, referring to the ongoing manhunt for a terrorist cell that carried out a deadly drive-by shooting on Route 60, in the South Hebron Hills, last Friday.
Turning to his successor, Ben-Ezra said, “Itzik, I hand over command of this brigade with mixed emotion. It’s hard to say goodbye to such a special place. I have every faith that, given your extensive experience, you will continue to lead the Judea Brigade to new heights.”
After the official transfer of command ceremony, Cohen said, “This is a veteran brigade and I am immensely proud to take command and assume responsibility for maintaining security and peace in this sector. As a brigade, we have to be sharper, faster and more ethical if we are to carry out our missions to the best of our ability. This past week has been a painful reminder of how vicious terrorists can be, underscoring the importance of our primary mission — to protect and defend the resident of this sector.”
Also on Tuesday, Charlie Azaria, the father of Sgt. Elor Azaria, who is facing manslaughter charges for killing an incapacitated terrorist in Hebron in March, accused the Military Prosecution of “framing” his son.
During one of the breaks in the hearing, Azaria shouted at Prosecutor Lt. Col. Nadav Weisman, “They [the military] are trying to frame the boy. They want to send him to prison. For what? … Were they [the prosecution] ever in Hebron? … I hear the 18-year-old soldiers there. They talk about how much they are afraid they’ll be stabbed. People blow themselves up and stab there. For this I sent my son to be a combat soldier? Where is the prime minister? Where is the entire system? I trust the justice system, I just want a fair trial.”
Weisman informed presiding judge, Col. Maya Heller, of the incident, saying it constituted incitement against the prosecution. Heller agreed, saying, “The court condemns this incitement against the prosecution. This is a warning [to the soldier’s family] — the next time anyone incites [against the prosecution], they will be barred from court.”
