Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Tuesday, September 1st, the opening day for the nation’s public schools, visited schools as is customary for cabinet ministers. Accompanied by Finance Minister Dr. Yuval Shteinitz, Barak visited the Nofei HaBasor School in the Eshkol Council.  His remarks resulted in somewhat of a stir, with many critical of the senior minister for telling it as it is.

One of the students in 11th grade asked, “Can the state ensure my well-being if I fall captive?” referring to his upcoming military service.

The defense minister responded, explaining the state cannot make guarantees regarding your life when you are in the IDF, adding that if members of our society are unwilling to place themselves in jeopardy or make the ultimate sacrifice if left with no alternative, such a society will not survive. Barak explained “this is not Western Europe” and realities in this part of the world are different, stating there are no guarantees and only those who do not fold under the pressure of rocket attacks and military cemeteries survive.

In remarks pertaining to bringing home captives, relating to Gilad Shalit, the defense minister stated “not at any price”, explaining that painful as it may sound, there is a ceiling and bringing a soldier home is not something that permits paying any price demanded by terrorists.

Barak explained there is no national referendum in matters of prisoner release deals since each case is different and it is clear as day that everyone wants to bring Shalit home, emphasizing the government’s concern and ongoing efforts towards achieving this goal.

A number of former IDF commander and senior security establishment officials supported Barak’s remarks, explaining most citizens have the luxury of going about their day-to-day lives while there are a few responsible for the painful decisions and shouldering the weight of the outcome of these decisions.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)