FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY THE IDF WILL NOTSEND ITS SOLDIERS HOME FOR PASSOVER!!!!!http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4209387,00.html
IDF officials dismissed suggestions that the decision is related to operational circumstances or preparations for military maneuvers. The army said Chief of Staff Gantz made the call after asserting that he does not accept the notion of an army-wide Passover vacation.
However, IDF soldiers who received the news Tuesday could not be convinced that the timing of the decision was arbitrary.
Notably, German Defense Minister Thomas de Maiziere on Tuesday said that after meeting Israeli counterpartEhud Barak, he was more concerned about the possibility of an Israeli strike on Iran.Over the years, an army-wide break during Passover became a tradition followed by all major military units, including the Air Force, Navy and intelligence corps. The IDF's headquarters in Tel Aviv is also traditionally deserted during the holiday. But as noted, the longtime tradition will be broken this year, as soldiers will have to divide their vacation days among themselves in order to ensure that their units maintain their full capacity to operate if needed.