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Admiral Bids Farewell

Ayalon. Responsible for jailing terrorists Photo: Dudi Vaaknin

Olmert. 'Integrity and morality' Photo: Flash 90

Shalit: 903 days in captivity Photo: Noam Rotem

Ayalon: Free terrorists for Shalit

Resigning minister bids farewell to government, says Israel's 'commitment to soldiers going on battle exceeds any other duty'

Roni Sofer
Published: 12.14.08, 15:28 / Israel News

Minister Ami Ayalon bid farewell to the government on Sunday, shortly after submitting his resignation to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

"This is my last statement as a minister in your government – Gilad Shalit must be brought home," he told Olmert during the cabinet meeting.

Southern Front

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Full story

Ayalon announced Saturday that he was leaving the left-wing religious Meimad movement and would not run for Knesset in the upcoming elections. He left the Labor Party about a month ago, and accepted its demand to quit his post following his departure.

In his farewell speech, the former Shin Bet chief chose to focus on the State of Israel's duty to return the kidnapped soldier, who has been held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip for 903 days now.

"As I have no plan to run for the 18th Knesset, I ask you to hear me out," Ayalon told Olmert and the ministers. "I have earned the right to talk about this issue in the course of my life. After dozens of operations in the naval command, as a fighter and commander who memorized with his soldiers the cover story in case of being captured ahead of every operation beyond the enemy lines."

He went on to say that he had the right to demand an immediate deal for Shalit's release.

"On behalf of my friends who were held hostage in Egypt for many months, as the naval command chief and as the Navy commander – when I sent people to operations from which some of them did not return. As a Shin Bet chief who led the war on terror, saw it from all sides and was responsible for the imprisonment in Israel of some of the discussed terrorists. We must bring Gilad Shalit back home!"

Olmert: Your decision points to integrity

Ayalon added, "Throughout the years, the Israeli government's policy was clear. When the possibility exists – we do it, and when there is no operational option – we give the enemy terrorists, with all the implications of this move."

He concluded by saying that "our commitment to soldiers going on battle exceeds any other duty. My wish to this government is that it does the right thing."

Olmert bade farewell to Ayalon by saying that "for years he served the State of Israel bravely, courageously, with dedication and integrity."

He turned to Ayalon and complimented him: "Your entire service was carried out with respect and appreciation, and your decision to resign from the government upon leaving the Labor Party points to integrity and dedication."

After leaving the Labor Party, Ayalon and Meimad leader MK Rabbi Michael Melchior agreed to try and cooperate with additional bodies and movement in a bid to run for Knesset together.

Sources close to Ayalon said Saturday that the attempt did not succeed. Ayalon later said that he plans to continue promoting the Nusseibah-Ayalon civilian peace initiative.

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