Defense Minister Ehud Barak last week canceled a trip to Washington, scheduled to leave for America on Sunday morning. The defense minister was expecting to meet with senior officials to discuss a number of matters, as well as planning to close the deal on an aide package surrounding Israel’s 60th independence anniversary.

It appears the disclosure of the arrest of accused elderly former spy Ben-Ami Kadish resulted in a negative atmosphere, prompting Barak aides to advise against such a trip at this time.

An official statement released by Defense Ministry officials’ states the defense minister is remaining in Israel to monitor developments in Gaza as well as other security considerations.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)