Yesterday was a bit heavy, so for today, something a bit lighter, something that might even make some readers smile.
IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi’s job was never going to be easy; heading Israel’s army is not a job for the faint of heart. Halevi, who assumed the Chief of Staff post in January 2023, has had an unimaginably horrible year. Thus, during the almost-year-long war, Israelis have gotten used to seeing him looking as he does above: focused, serious and (quite appropriately), anything but playful.
The future, too, promises to be challenging. The army knows that it has a rough period coming up. There could be a full-scale war with Hezbollah in Lebanon, or more ominously, a war with Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, Iran, Iranian forces in Iraq and Syria, the Palestinians in the West Bank / Judea and Samaria, and so on…). We are far from out of the woods.
But the IDF is a people’s army. In theory, everyone (except most Arabs, most Haredim, many religious young women, conscientious objectors and others—which makes “everyone” a very relative term) serves, and when there is a massive military operation, as there was this year in Gaza, hundreds of thousands of young women and men are called up—Israel is too small a country to keep a standing army of the size it would need to defend itself.
So the country needs people to feel good about “the people’s army.”
Hence, a bit of a charm offensive you can follow if you watch the IDF on Twitter, Instagram and elsewhere.
The following two recent headlines are but among hundreds from the past few months that give a sense of the PR challenges the army is facing.
The IDF’s recent head of Military Intelligence, Aharon Haliva, who just left his position, has been at the forefront of “taking responsibility.” The story of what he did and did not do during the night between October 6 and 7 is chilling, and his conscience no doubt weighs heavy. He admits the failure, and in opposition to the Prime Minister, is urging a state investigation commission, just as there was, for example, after the Yom Kippur War, Sabra and Shatila and many other instances.
Former Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, who lost a son and a nephew in recent months of fighting, is insisting that everyone at the helm has to resign at the end of this war. That’s not likely to happen, but he, too, like Haliva understands how deep the problem runs.
Therefore, to keep morale up, especially for the thousands who were just drafted in the July / August draft, Halevi went to the “intake base” and the IDF posted the video above. It’s a different side of the Chief of Staff from what Israelis usually see, and it brought a smile to many faces. So we’re sharing it, with subtitles added. (It’s above, at the top of the post, but you can watch it here, too.)
A very different sort of moment:
Two soldiers who became fast friends, Ya’ara Medioni and Na’ama Boni z’’l, dreamed of attending officer school together. But Corporal Na’ama Boni z’’l served in the 77th Battalion of the 7th Armored Corps, and was murdered by Hamas terrorists on October 7th while guarding the Yiftah outpost on the Zikim military base.
The video below circulated a few weeks ago. It shows Ya’ara upon completing the officers course, being presented with her new rank, second lieutenant, by Na’ama’s mother.
And a final one that needs no explanation:
Here’s praying that we have much more of these sorts of moments and much less of what we’ve had for the past year.
For a book project I may be undertaking, position of Research Assistant.
Position is full time, would likely begin in next month or two—start date slightly negotiable. Work can be done largely remotely (but some in-person meetings will be necessary), but RA needs to be physically located in Israel for the duration of the project, and needs to work standard Israeli hours.
Requirements: BA from a high quality institution with a record of excellence. Self-motivated and also anxious to work in partnership. People filling this role have typically been immediately post-college or a few years post-BA, but many other profiles certainly fine.
Area of academic major not critical. Excellent research skills and analytic skills critical. Native language English required. Some Hebrew necessary, good or excellent Hebrew an added value.
Role will include:
Working with me to brainstorm ideas for the book, its basic claims and the flow of the argument
Research for all sections of the book, from a wide array of sources, including print, online, archive and interviews.
Interface with publisher on all administrative matters related to the book.
Aquiring permissions for quotes, photos and other copyrighted material.
For those interested:
Greater detail and salary/benefits upon request.
Interested candidates should send a cover note and CV as PDF to israelfromtheinside@gmail.com.
The People's Army Goes on a Charm Offensive