Do the remarks reflect widespread opposition among the Israeli military to the current policy towards Palestinians?
It is not clear how widespread, but they do reflect the clearest division yet in the military establishment – between those who want to continue the clampdown to prevent attacks, and those who are beginning to say that Israel’s iron-fist policy in the occupied territories is counter-productive. What has been the reaction of the government – how serious is the apparent split? There was no official response, but according to the media the prime minister’s office was furious. Reports said the Prime Minister Ariel Sharon demanded an apology and the defence minister called General Yaalon in for a dressing-down. The dispute was more over how he expressed himself than over what he said – going to the press rather than his colleagues – especially since he was criticising security policy which is supposed to be Mr Sharon’s area of expertise. The word now is that the matter has been resolved. There does not appear to be an appetite to drag it out, although General Yaalon has made his point. What
