Ashkenazi and Barak
Photo: AP
IDF chief: Ahmadinejad victory means IDF must stay vigilant
Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, Defense Minister Barak and President Peres take podium at IAF Flight School graduation ceremony. Ashkenazi tells cadets IDF is able to win any war, Barak speaks of chance for peace, Peres revels in diversity of new pilots
The IDF must remain vigilant in the face of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's reelection, IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Gabi Ashkenazi said on Thursday at the IAF Flight School graduation ceremony at Hatzerim Air Base.
"Ahmadinejad's reelection, his statements about destroying Israel, and his attempts at obtaining unconventional weapons mean we have to be prepared to deal with any threat, be it near or far," Ashkenazi said.
"As chief of staff, I know that only a strong military can keep war at bay. But if we have to fight – we will win."
Defense Minister Ehud Barak also spoke at the ceremony. Barak said that the IAF was ready to tackle any mission: "We hope we will not be called upon, but in the Middle East, the perils we face are not theoretical. The threats against us range from Hamas and Jihad terrorism, to Iran, with its nuclear ambitions.
"We are not taking any option off the table, and we recommend others don't as well."
Peace, said Barak, is made by the strong. We will not give in on (matters of) security, but we cannot miss the chance to advance regional peace in accordance with the Road Map, one that centers on the two-state solution."
President Shimon Peres congratulated the IAF's newest pilots. Speaking of the makeup of the graduation class, Peres said he was "delighted to find among you a son of the noble Druze community, a loyal partner in maintaining Israel's security."
Among the graduates was also Assaf Ramon, son of Israel's first astronaut Ilan Ramon, who was killed in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in 2003. "Today father and son have come full circle," said Peres. "Ilan's star shines brightly in the sky tonight, as a blessing to his son."
All three also spoke of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit: Ashkenazi said that "Israel and the IDF see his return as the top priority"; Barak added that "we are doing everything we can to ensure he comes home;" and Peres concluded – "Gilad is always in our hearts and I believe we will bring him home."
