Candidate for Israel military chief: 'Our strength is lack of Palestinian unity’

A candidate for the next head of Israel’s military declared yesterday that the political divisions amongst Palestinians is a significant advantage for Israel, reported Arutz Sheva.

Former deputy Chief of Staff Major General Yair Golan made the remarks at a conference of the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism in Herzliya.

Addressing the “challenge” posed by the Palestinians, Golan told the audience: “Our strength is in their lack of unity”, adding that the “lack of unity” also makes it “difficult to reach a stable and long-term agreement”.

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Discussing “Israel’s security challenges” more broadly, Golan said: “There is no choice but to build up a force that will enable us, when the conditions are ripe, to strike our enemies with a severe and decisive blow, at their fighting ability.”

He added: “Without such a crushing force, we will find it difficult to provide the citizens of Israel with the security they expect.”