Defense Ministry officials explained that Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon was summoned to a number of urgent high-level meetings on the day of his daughter’s chupah. The minister was compelled to attend the meetings, some addressing the visit of US President Barak Obama, which ended at a late hour, placing him in a difficult position regarding his arrival at the chasanah.

Ya’alon wrapped up the day’s business and he was then flown in an IDF chopper to the wedding, which was held in Kibbutz Grofit. The news of his helicopter flight is providing a wealth of media content, with some reports citing the flight cost taxpayers 100,000 NIS. Defense Ministry officials explained the minister was compelled to attend the meetings last Thursday, the day his daughter was getting married which coincided with the US presidential visit.

They add the reports of the cost are unfounded; simply stating the cost of the chopper flight was 6,000 NIS. Other “sources in the defense establishment” quoted anonymously report the cost is in the “tens of thousands of NIS”. Whatever the case, Ya’alon’s office explains there was no alternative since he was compelled to attend briefings and he did wish to be present for a child’s wedding.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)