Ya'alon opposes Lieberman halt on IDF volunteer with foreign workers
Responding to the the current Minister of Defense Avigdor Lieberman's recent move to prevent IDF soldiers from volunteering with the children of foreign workers, Moshe 'Bogey' Ya'alon said, 'I expect the minister of defense to concern himself with other things'; Ya'alon also repeated that "Israel is not under any immediate threat.'
Former defense minister Moshe Ya’alon expressed his criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and current Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman (Yisrael Beytenu) on Tuesday, following Lieberman’s instructing IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkott to prevent soldiers from volunteering with the children of foreign workers in their free time.
Ya’alon was asked about his position on the matter during the Israel Medical Conference. He responded by saying, “I expect the minister of defense to concern himself with other things, and I certainly don’t expect him to showcase his 'leadership skills' over the IDF chief of staff in the press.”
Ya’alon also reiterated his intention of running for prime minister during the next elections, either as the head of an existing party or of one he would erect himself. “Over the years, I have realized that it takes leadership to lead Israel to new heights. It takes courage to make decisions, instead of acting out of a survival instinct or by way of intimidation, divisiveness and fear. It takes initiative and paving the way, instead of being drawn into things.”
He additionally lobbied criticism toward Netanyahu and his supposed aim to frighten the public. “I want to reiterate what I know: Israel is not under any immediate threat to its existence, and our national leadership should stop scaring our citizens on the matter,” he said.
Ya’alon also came out against Netanyahu's and the government’s attempts to hinder the press and their criticism of the judicial system. “Certain people in the government have declared war on the media, the High Court and its judges and on workers in public administration, which add up to a threat on democracy. All of us, both on the right and the left, should fight against this. It is an essential part of who we are; we must resist any show of violence or racism, and continue to educate for accepting any person, regardless of their religion, race or sexual orientation.”
“The discourse currently taking place in Israel is concerning,” said Ya’alon. “True leadership should aim to not tear up the different parts of the population, with its various sectors, religions and ethnic groups. There is so much beauty in Israeli society, and it’s a shame that its very fabric is under threat of being ripped apart.”
Regarding the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, however, Ya’alon expressed a more hawkish perspective. “There isn’t going to a permanent peace agreement in the next few years; their leadership refuses to reach any understanding toward ending the conflict, nor is it willing to recognize Israel as the land of the Jewish people. We shouldn’t delude ourselves that a solution is right around the corner, and we should stop blaming ourselves for not finding one. We are not the ones at fault here.”
