Moshe Ya'alon
Moshe Ya'alon | |
---|---|
משה יעלון | |
Minister of Strategic Affairs | |
2013–2016 | Minister of Defense |
Faction represented in the Knesset | |
2009–2016 | Likud |
2019–2020 | Blue and White |
2020–2021 | Telem |
Military roles | |
1995–1998 | Head of Aman |
1998–2000 | Head of Central Command |
1999–2002 | Deputy Chief of General Staff |
2002–2005 | Chief of General Staff |
Personal details | |
Born | Kiryat Haim, Israel | 24 June 1950
Awards | Legion of Merit |
Nickname | Bogie |
Military service | |
Allegiance | Israel |
Branch/service | Israel Defense Forces |
Years of service | 1968–2005 |
Rank | Rav Aluf |
Commands |
|
Battles/wars |
|
Moshe "Bogie" Ya'alon (
Early life
Ya'alon was born Moshe Smilansky, the son of David Smilansky and Batya Silber. His father, a factory worker, had moved to
Military career
In 1968, Ya'alon was conscripted into the
In 1973, he was called up as a reservist during the
During the 1982 Lebanon War, Ya'alon joined the Sayeret Matkal commando unit as a commander. He then rejoined the Paratroopers Brigade and was appointed as the commander of its 890 "Efe" (Echis) paratroop battalion. During this time, he was wounded in the leg while leading a pursuit of Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon.[3]
Ya'alon took a
Ya'alon was appointed
In February 2005, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz decided not to extend Ya'alon's service as chief of staff for another year. This marked the climax of tensions between Mofaz and Ya'alon, which had arisen partly through Ya'alon's objection to the Gaza disengagement plan. On 1 June 2005, Ya'alon retired from the army, and Dan Halutz, his successor as chief of staff, oversaw the disengagement.
In December 2005, relatives of the victims of the
He was appointed
Political career
Ya'alon backed the
In January 2015, the leader of
In February 2015 Ya'alon took a political stand on gay marriage. In a speech he promised to help promote LGBT rights in Israel, and in particular noted he would support the establishment of civil marriage laws in Israel that would allow same-sex couples to be recognized as a family unit.[22]
Following the 2016 shooting by an Israeli soldier of a wounded Palestinian assailant, Ya'alon said that the soldier's action "completely contradicts IDF values and its battle ethics; even in a moment of great anger we must not permit such unbridled and uncontrolled behavior."[23] This statement was viewed by many Israelis as prejudging the case.[24]
Ya'alon formed Telem on 2 January 2019.[25]
On January 29, 2019, Ya'alon announced a political alliance with former IDF chief of staff
In the run up to the 2021 Israeli legislative election, Ya'alon's party split from Yesh Atid. After multiple polls showing the party unable to pass the 3.5 percent election threshold[citation needed], Ya'alon decided to quit the race.[28]
In 2023, Ya'alon called the Israeli government a "dictatorship of criminals", due to the national security minister
Controversial statements
Palestinian threat as 'cancer'
On 27 August 2002, he told the Haaretz newspaper: "The Palestinian threat harbors cancer-like attributes that have to be severed. There are all kinds of solutions to cancer. Some say it's necessary to amputate organs but at the moment I am applying chemotherapy."[30] The same month he said "the Palestinians must be made to understand in the deepest recesses of their consciousness that they are a defeated people".[31]
In January 2004, he publicly stated that the thirteen Sayeret Matkal soldiers who refused to serve in the Israeli-occupied territories were taking the unit's name in vain.[citation needed]
On the need to confront Iran
In January 2008, during a discussion at
When asked whether "all options" included a military deposition of Ahmadinejad and the rest of Iran's current leadership, Ya'alon told The Herald: "We have to consider killing him. All options must be considered."[33]
The Peace Now/'virus' incident
In August 2009, Ya'alon visited the ruins of Homesh,[34] a settlement that was destroyed in Israeli disengagement from Gaza in 2005 and toured Israeli settlements in the north of the West Bank, considered as un-authorized outposts. He said that these communities are all legitimate and should not be called "illegal."[35] In addition, he participated in a convention of Manhigut Yehudit ("Jewish Leadership"), the more right-wing Settlers' segment within the Likud right-wing Party, in which he condemned the disengagement plan, called Peace Now a "virus"[36][37] and said that "We become accustomed to Arabs being permitted to live everywhere, in the Negev, Galilee, Nablus, Jenin, and [on the other hand] there are areas where Jews are not allowed to live. We caused this." He also stated that, "regarding the issue of the settlements, in my opinion Jews can and should live everywhere in the Land of Israel. Now, ... first of all, every settlement needs to get the approval of the authorities, and what goes up on the spot, in contradiction to these decisions and so on is not legitimate. It's against the law".[37]
Later, after meeting with PM Netanyahu, Ya'alon retracted parts of his statements and said that he "recognized the importance of democratic discourse and respecting other opinions."[38] Ya'alon explained that, indeed, all Israelis want peace, now. He stressed, however, the need to accept the fact that peace will not come immediately, otherwise it "hurts Israel." Ya'alon stated that, in his view, the way of thinking that Israel just needs to give one more piece of land and then it will have peace is a kind of "virus."[39]
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and U.S. engagement in the peace process
In January 2014, Ya'alon was quoted in an Israeli newspaper calling U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry "obsessive" and "messianic," and claiming that the "only thing that can save us is if Kerry wins the Nobel Prize and leaves us alone."[40][41] The remarks attributed to him precipitated a diplomatic row with the U.S. State Department and elicited criticism of members of Israel's government. In October 2014 during a visit to the U.S. Ya'alon met with his counterpart, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, but was denied requests to meet with Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry.[42] A U.S. official told the Jerusalem Post that the snub should come as no surprise.[43]
Segregation of buses
In October 2014, Ya'alon supported a plan that would effectively ban Palestinian workers from buses used by Jewish settlers. Ya'alon said that his plan was based on security needs. The IDF said that there was no security issue with integrated buses given that all West Bank Palestinian workers go through security checkpoints.[44] When Ya'alon's move was criticized as being a form of apartheid, Yehuda Weinstein, Israel's Attorney General, demanded that Ya'alon explain his rationale.[45]
Resuming settlement construction once Obama is gone
In late 2014 at a meeting with Jewish settlers on the West Bank who questioned Israel's apparent delay in settler construction, Ya'alon said that settlement construction represented the greatest growth in Israel and with regard to any apparent slowdown, he declared, "It's temporary. There is a certain administration now in the United States, which is leading this policy. This administration will not stay forever and I hope it's temporary." He commented that it is important for Israel not to antagonize the U.S. at the moment, because American support is needed in countering diplomatic undertakings at the U.N. that he claimed were "anti-Israel." "The publication of construction plans, even in Jerusalem, draws a response from various bodies, including our friends, that attack us," he said. But he noted that he very much wanted to approve construction plans.[46] Ya'alon's remarks about not antagonizing the U.S. came at a time when an opinion poll showed that the "overwhelming majority" of Israelis believe their country's relationship with the U.S. has been hurt as a result of the poor relationship between Obama and Netanyahu.[47][48] In response to the Ya'alon's remarks, which were broadcast of Israeli Army Radio, a spokesperson for Ya'alon claimed, "this does not diminish in any way the appreciation and esteem Minister Ya'alon has for the contribution of the U.S. and its government to the security of Israel and the fact that the U.S. is Israel's best friend and strategic anchor."[49] Responding to the latest of Ya'alon negative comments about the Obama administration, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said, "This administration's opposition to settlements is fully consistent with the policies of administrations for decades, including of both parties. So the notion that that would change is not borne out by history."[50]
Personal life
Ya'alon is married with three children. He and his wife live in Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut, and are still members of Kibbutz Grofit.
See also
- Media coverage of the Arab–Israeli conflict
References
- ^ Moshe Yaalon, Israeli Defense Minister, Resigns The New York Times, 20 May 2016
- ^ a b staff, T. O. I. "United Gantz-Lapid party to be called 'Blue and White'; no women in top 6". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
- ^ a b c JFNA. "Minister Moshe (Bogie) Ya'alon". Generalassembly.org. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
- ^ "Moshe (Bogie) Ya'alon". cyberweek.tau.ac.il.
- ^ Ya'alon is widely known by his nickname, "Boogie" (also sometimes spelled "Bogie" or "Bogey" in English) "Knesset Gives Final OK to Gaza Pullout Plan". Fox News. Associated Press. 15 February 2005. Archived from the original on 25 July 2008. Retrieved 20 August 2009.Gil Hoffman (19 August 2009). "Netanyahu summons Ya'alon over comments". Jerusalem Post.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "כשהתחזית על מלחמה בקיץ מתממשת - וואלה! חדשות". וואלה!. 4 September 2014.
- ^ Gal Perl Finkel, It's the man (or woman) who makes the job, The Jerusalem Post, 19 November 2018.
- ^ "ynet אל תצפו למהפכה - חדשות". ynet. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
- ^ Moshe (Bogie) Ya'alon, דרך ארוכה קצרה The Longer Shorter Way. Yediot Books (2008), pp.227–228.
- ^ Lawsuit filed against Ya'alon in US court[permanent dead link] The Jerusalem Post
- ^ a b "Ex-Israeli army chief praises NZ for wiping arrest warrant". The New Zealand Herald. 3 December 2006.
- ^ "New Zealand Cancels Ya'alon Warrant After He Leaves". Haaretz.com. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
- ^ Eames, David; Berry, Ruth (1 December 2006). "Government overrules war-crimes arrest order". The New Zealand Herald.
- ^ a b "Netanyahu picks ex-general Yaalon as new Israeli defense chief". Reuters. 17 March 2013. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
- ^ "Israel's new defence minister". The Economist. 20 May 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
- ^ "New Israeli Defense Minister No Threat to Netanyahu's Policies". Al-Monitor. March 2013. Archived from the original on 19 October 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
- Ynetnews. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
- ^ "Likud primary results for February 10th national elections". Haaretz. 9 December 2008. Retrieved 9 December 2008.
- ^ "Report: Ya'alon moves to name anti-assimilation group Lehava a terrorist organization" (4 Jan 2015) The Jerusalem Post
- ^ The White House "A Real Festival of Lights: Hanukkah at the White House 2014/5775"
- Times of Israel4 January 2015
- ^ "Ya'alon backs same-sex marriage in Israel" Times of Israel, 7 February 2015
- ^ Kershner, Isabel (24 March 2016). "Israel Soldier Detained in Shooting of Palestinian (Published 2016)". The New York Times.
- ^ Glanz, James; Garshowitz, Irit Pazner (20 May 2016). "Moshe Yaalon, Israeli Defense Minister, Resigns (Published 2016)". The New York Times.
- ^ Raoul Wootliff (2 January 2019). "Former defense chief Ya'alon launches new political party, Telem". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
- ^ staff, T. O. I. "Breaking political silence, Gantz indicates he won't serve under indicted PM". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
- ^ Wootliff, Raoul; Alex; Fulbright, er. "Joining forces with Gantz, Ya'alon rules out support for two-state solution". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
- ^ Baruch, Hezki (1 February 2021). "Telem chief Moshe Yaalon drops out of Knesset race". Arutz Sheva. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ Keller-Lynn, Carrie (21 January 2023). "At Tel Aviv protest, Ya'alon calls Netanyahu's government a 'dictatorship of criminals'". Times of Israel. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
- Ha'aretz, 29 August 2002
- ^ Shalhūb-Kīfūrkiyān, Nādirah (2009). Militarization and Violence Against Women in Conflict Zones in the Middle East A Palestinian Case-Study. Cambridge University Press. p. 5.
- ^ Interview with Former IDF Chief-of-Staff Moshe Yaalon Archived 10 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine, The College Zionist
- ^ Israeli hawks ready to fly on Iran, The Sydney Morning Herald 24 November 2008
- ^ "Ya'alon Calls on State to Drop 'Illegal' Qualifier From Outposts". Haaretz.com. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
- ^ "Satellite News and latest stories | The Jerusalem Post". fr.jpost.com.
- ^ "Israeli minister calls anti-settler group a "virus"". Reuters. 19 August 2009.
- ^ a b Ro`i Sharon, "יעלון: יהודים צריכים להתיישב בכל מקום בארץ ישראל", Maariv, 19 August 2009.
- ^ "Vice Premier Backtracks After Calling Peace Now, Elites 'A Virus'". Haaretz.com. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
- ^ "Israeli minister calls anti-settler group a "virus"". Reuters. 19 August 2009.
- ^ "Israel's Defense Minister Calls John Kerry Messianic And Obsessive". Huffington Post. 14 January 2014.
- ^ "Ya'alon criticized for reportedly calling Kerry 'obsessive, messianic'". The Jerusalem Post - JPost.com. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
- ^ "US officials: Israel defense chief denied meetings". Retrieved 20 May 2016.
- ^ "Ya'alon snub 'should come as no surprise,' US official says". The Jerusalem Post - JPost.com. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
- ^ Ho, Spencer (26 October 2014). "Directive to keep returning West Bank workers off Israeli buses". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
- ^ Tait, Robert (28 October 2014). "Palestinian 'apartheid' bus row escalates as Israeli minister Moshe Ya'alon ordered to explain ban". The Daily Telegraph. London.
- ^ "Ya'alon: Obama administration 'won't be around forever'". Ynet. 10 December 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
- ^ Hoffman, Gil (10 December 2014). "Poll: Most say poor Netanyahu - Obama ties are harmful". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
- ^ Winer, Stuart (10 December 2014). "Ya'alon: After Obama, a West Bank construction boom". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
- ^ Cesana, Shlomo (10 December 2014). "In final 2 years, Obama to seek Israeli-Palestinian peace". Israel Hayom. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
- ^ "Yaalon: Settlement slowdown temporary since Obama only has two years left". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 12 December 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
Bibliography
- "The IDF and the Israeli Spirit", by Moshe Ya'alon, Azure magazine, Spring 2006, no. 24
- "Israel and the Palestinians: A New Strategy" by Moshe Ya'alon, Azure magazine, Autumn 2008, no. 34
- "A New Strategy for the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict" Archived 3 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine, by Moshe Ya'alon, Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, Vol. 8, No. 10, 2 September 2008
External links
- Moshe Ya'alon on the Knesset website
- Moshe Ya'alon, Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- "Taking stock"[Jerusalem Post, published 30 April 2009 & updated 7 May 2009 (Accessed 26 October 2011)