Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Monday stated he is satisfied with his decision as prime minister in May 2000, ordering the unilateral retreat of IDF forces from the security zone in southern Lebanon, a move that was carried out on a moment’s notice. Barak accepted responsibility for the mistakes as well.

He commented that Israel’s presence in the security zone for almost 18 years was a tragedy, and no one wanted to return, and his unilateral move was the correct decision. He told his audience at an event marking the tenth anniversary of the withdrawal that the real question is why the move was not ordered a decade earlier.

Barak added that the withdrawal from Lebanon and Gaza were two examples of unilateral policies, and he realizes that many were not pleased by the courageous decisions, they were correct and necessary. “Anyone not pleased with the situation in Gaza today musk ask himself if he would prefer remaining there another 38 years?”

The defense minister stated that down the road there will be a need for additional unilateral decision that will undoubtedly not find favor in the eyes of all.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)