Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu urged Defense Minister Israel Katz to reinstate Col. (res.) Hezi Nechama, praising the officer who killed a terrorist in Gush Etzion and condemning his dismissal as politically motivated.
A Hero in Action
On Tuesday, Col. (res.) Hezi Nechama prevented further bloodshed in Gush Etzion when he eliminated a terrorist who had run over two teenagers, leaving them seriously wounded.
In the aftermath, Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu sent an urgent letter to Defense Minister Israel Katz, demanding Nechama’s reinstatement to the IDF reserves.
“Dismissed for Wanting Victory”
Eliyahu defended the veteran commander’s integrity:
“He has never incited against reserve service, never betrayed, never rebelled, and never called on anyone to refuse to serve — yet he was dismissed from the reserves.”
He questioned the motives behind Nechama’s dismissal:
“Why? Because he sought to win. Because he wrote a plan to bring the hostages home with General Eiland. Because he dared to criticize the way the war is being managed by the General Staff.”
Eliyahu contrasted Nechama’s case with others:
- Former generals who threatened mass refusals during judicial reform faced no punishment.
- Yair Golan, who compared Israelis to Nazis, remained untouched.
- Extremist officers undermining unity from within were not dismissed.
“Only Colonel Hezi Nechama, who wanted only one thing — victory — was dismissed.”
“The IDF Needs Officers Who Want to Win”
Eliyahu praised Nechama’s devotion even outside official service:
“He’s still there for us today, without official uniforms, without a military framework. He’s eliminating terrorists on the roads. The IDF needs officers who want to win.”
The Bottom Line
Eliyahu’s demand frames Nechama not as a renegade, but as a patriotic warrior punished for speaking truth. With Hamas still holding hostages and terror attacks ongoing, Eliyahu argues Israel cannot afford to sideline men like him.
