In an interview with Yediot Achronot, former Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon tells it like it is, crossing lines that he has never crossed in previous interviews.
Following is a synopsis of small portions of the extensive interview.
In recent month, the 66-year-old former IDF Chief of Staff and Defense Minister is pushing ahead, possibly to head a new political part in the next Knesset elections. Ya’alon heads the “Alternative Leadership NGO, and attending many a parlor meeting to get his word out.
He tells Yediot that while he is currently independent, he does not rule out joining forces with an existing part. He speaks of gaining support from many, including his former Likud colleagues, stating they too are unsatisfied with the current leadership. He speaks of how the party leader, PM Netanyahu, was constantly crossing the line of heading a “national” party to “nationalistic” one, tying to some allies in Bayit Yehudi. He explains that both Naftali Bennet and Betzalel Smotrich “have wagging tails too” and how they are trying to pull the government to the right.
Ya’alon decries how suddenly, it was okay to attack Arabs and/or the High Court of Justice, questioning the deteriorating standards of the decision-makers. He explains he continued in his post for he felt capable of protecting the IDF and if he stepped down, he was uncertain who his replacement would be. He speaks of a responsibility to remain to protect the nation’s military.
Regarding personal relations with the prime minister, ongoing police investigations, allegations of corruption surrounding the IDF Navy deal and German submarines. Ya’alon would not discuss matters which are still under investigation. He does however state there are things the public is unaware of, including the fact that there are issues with other naval vessels and not just the submarines.
Regarding accusations that he was too quick to condemn Sgt. Elor Azariya publicly after the latter killed a wounded terrorist in Hebron, Ya’alon explains he already viewed video evidence that clearly showed what occurred. He was aware the matter was going to be publicized in a matter of hours, and he feels many used family members and others for their own political spin. Ya’alon explains that as defense minister, he had responsibilities and had to act responsibly even if it was not popular.
Ya’alon expresses disdain for “The level of [government] corruption that has become the norm, speaking about investigations against PM Netanyahu that is ongoing. He feels the prime minister should resign as one expects of a leader under so many probes in a civilized society.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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One Response
Seems like the usual self serving babble we have come to expect from such a person. Being a member of Israel’s ruling elite means never having to admit to being wrong, never having to apologize for committing the most outrageous acts against the Jewish people or in any way acknowledging fallibility. He is one of Israel’s ubermenchen and he can never be wrong about anything because he says so.