Nitzan Alon: "Israeli society needs different leadership, not slogans like 'total victory'"

Maj. Gen. (res.) Nitzan Alon, former head of the Prisoners and Missing Persons Command, sharply criticized the government's conduct in an interview with the Washington Institute. Alon called for realistic leadership that would implement changes, in contrast to slogans like "total victory." He praised public protests that gave him strength, and addressed the erosion of IDF values and the political echelon's responsibility for the October 7 failure.

Maj. Gen. (res.) Nitzan Alon, former head of the Prisoners and Missing Persons Command, sharply criticized the government's conduct in an online interview with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Alon said that "Israeli society is strong, but we now need different leadership that will make the necessary changes and lead this wonderful people with a realistic approach, not one based on slogans like 'total victory.'" He added that the weekly protests gave him strength to continue his work. In a previous interview at the end of August, Alon warned of a significant erosion of IDF values among soldiers and commanders, linking this to the prolonged war and debates within Israeli society. He referred to violent incidents in Judea and Samaria where soldiers did not act properly, placing responsibility on commanders. Regarding the October 7 disaster, Alon stated that the political echelon bears responsibility for the overall concept regarding Hamas, and that the advance intelligence and warning signs should have led to a real alert and action.