Commander of the IDF's 98th Division asks government 'to be worthy of soldiers'

Brig. Gen. Dan Goldfus, the commander of the Israel Defense Forces' 98th Division, addressed members of the government, urging them to unite to honor the memory of the fallen soldiers.

"We, as soldiers, have taken responsibility for all our actions in the past, take it now, and will continue to do so in the future. We do not shy away from battle or run away from responsibility. We bow our heads over our resounding failure on October 7, but at the same time we push forward, carry out operations at the highest level of quality, protect our values, and attain many achievements on the battlefield. But you need to be worthy of us. You need to be worthy of the soldiers who lost their lives. You need to be worthy of the reservists who don't care what side they are on and fought and fight alongside each other," he said.

"You must make sure we do not return to October 6, that all the effort and sacrifice won't be in vain. From my heart, I ask of you to be together, united, push away the extreme, and adopt the togetherness. Find what unites. We on the battlefield found it, and we will not give up on it," Goldfus added.

Channel 11 reported that the IDF's Spokesperson's Unit approved his initial speech but not the additional remarks. Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi will summon Goldfus for a "clarification conversation," the IDF said.