IDF praying for Sharon
IDF Chief Staff Halutz says army praying for prime minister Sharon; Mofaz says security establishment prepared for all scenarios in this sensitive time
The institution that was Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s home for nearly three decades is set to hold prayers for “the prime minister’s victory in the fight for his life,” IDF Chief of the General Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz said Thursday afternoon.
Halutz spoke during the ceremonial appointment of Major-General Amos Yadlin as Director of Military Intelligence as a successor for Major-General Aharon Zeevi-Farkash, who ended a 40-year-long military career in a ceremony at the Glilot military base.
Yadlin was until recently a special military attaché in Washington.
“It’s a difficult day for the IDF, and together with the people of Israel we hold prayers for the prime minister’s victory in his fight for his life,” Halutz said.
Halutz called Sharon Wednesday evening to wish him luck with the angioplasty he was supposed to have Thursday. During the conversation Sharon was updated by Halutz on certain security issues.
Farkash praised Sharon for never failing to heed the security assessments of the IDF’s Military intelligence.
Mofaz: IDF ready for all scenarios
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz held a meeting with senior security officials in his Tel Aviv office. Mofaz wished Sharon a fast recovery from the stroke and told reporters after the meeting that the security establishment is closely following developments in the Palestinian territories.
Mofaz said he will hold a meeting with Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to update him on the latest security developments. “The security establishment, will stand behind the acting prime minister and will do all that is needed to assist him in the important challenge he faces. I wish to tell the people of Israel that they can be sure the sensitive situation we face will not confuse the security establishment,” Mofaz said.
Mofaz said the IDF will continue its fight against Palestinian terror with the same rigor.
