IDF chief: Reservists won't train this year

"We are dealing with an unprecedented challenge and it may have dramatic effects of the IDF," Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz tells reservists, citing budget cuts already imposed and the Finance Ministry's adamant refusal to approve additional funds.

Lilach Shoval

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz visits the Western Wall, Monday

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz said Monday that he was "deeply concerned about the readiness of the reserves at the present time, as well as in the foreseeable future."

Gantz and other senior defense officials have warned that the budget cuts already imposed on the military and the Finance Ministry's adamant refusal to approve additional funds will spell a serious blow to reservists' training and the IDF's overall emergency readiness.

Speaking at a ceremony honoring outstanding reservists, Gantz said the IDF "has made the regular [forces'] training its top priority not because reservists are unnecessary or unimportant, but because of [budgetary] constraints. We are dealing with an unprecedented and highly complex human resources challenge and it may have dramatic effects of the IDF.

"As chief of the General Staff in a country that sends its military to face the most challenging missions, I give you my word that we will spare no effort to prevent the blow to the defense budget from becoming a blow to defense.

"Competence and readiness are operational imperatives, as well as our moral duty to you all, so we have no intention of relenting on the matter. We will act responsibly and we will pursue the issue with the relevant officials, who can and should have a say in this. We will do everything within our power to change the current situation and preserve our current competence and readiness, as well as ensure it for the future," Gantz told the reservists at the ceremony.

Maj. (res.) David Katz, who was among the reservists honored Monday, said, "I accept this honor with a heavy heart. Given the future outlook for the reserves, I'm not sure I will be able to perform my duties as I would like to.

"The training today is no longer counted in days, but in hours. As a commander whose mission is to maintain his soldiers' operational readiness, I find that disconcerting. Without sufficient training, a unit cannot exist."