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Barak best man for the job
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Peretz failed, officers say
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Mitzna: Defense leadership failed
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Shavit: Israel needs experienced man
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Reserves officers publicly call for Barak for defense minister

Former senior office holders publish letter calling for Peretz dismissal; express support for Barak, saying 'only experienced leader can rehabilitate defense establishment'

A letter calling for former Prime Minister Ehud Barak to replace Defense Minister Amir Peretz was published by 54 reserves officers on Tuesday. A matching petition was submitted to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

 

The letter, which was published in Haaretz newspaper, stated "it's critical to place the most experienced and fitting person in charge of the defense establishment. We call on all those involved to appoint Ehud Barak as defense minister.

 

The impressive list of senior officers signing the letter includes former Labor Party chairman Maj. Gen. (res) Amram Mitzna, former Mossad Chief Shabtai Shavit, former Defense Ministry Director-General Amos Yaron, former coordinator of activities in the territories Shmuel Goren and several others.

 

"Israeli society isn't learning from experience. We experienced a war in which the military and political leadership failed. We are facing numerous challenges now. Every day that passes without a change to the defense establishment is a wasted day," Mitzna told Ynet.

 

"Peretz's appointment was a fatal mistake. We cannot have an inexperienced civilian, devoid of all involvement with defense in the past, at the head of our defense establishment," he said.

 

Shavit echoed these sentiments, saying the second Lebanon war proved that the defense establishment is not functioning optimally.

 

"Israel needs the most experienced man to rehabilitate the defense establishment and return our power of deterrence…Barak is the best, most experienced man for a job that is needed to address future threats," he added.

 


פרסום ראשון: 01.30.07, 10:53
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