EFTA00586422.pdf

Minister of Defense Ehud Barak announces post-election retirement .Good morning everyone The State of Israel has experienced some tough times during the past two weeks, and I am proud to be part of the team that directed Operation Pillar of Defense, both militarily and diplomatically, to its Fifty three years ago, in November 1959, I .successful conclusion enlisted to the IDF and for forty seven years, I have served the people Today I stand before you to tell you .of Israel to the best of my ability about my decision to retire from political life, instead of running in the I took this decision not without doubts, .upcoming Knesset election .but ultimately with a whole heart I would be lying if I said that the warmth that I felt from the public, and of you some even the positive coverage that I received from For .[journalists] — not of course from all of you — did not please me someone who has not always been spoiled with this [positive media coverage], I know how to appreciate support and was glad to receive .it Practically, I will finish in my role as defense minister with the .formation of the new government in approximately three months This is the culmination of seven and a half years in this office, two .terms under three governments, one of which I was at the head Years in which, along with others, I led the defense establishment and the IDF, through the rehabilitation after the Second Lebanon War, strengthening our 'long arm' and building our operational capabilities to cope with the Iranian threat for if and when a decision should be EFTA00586422 made, pushing through the 'Iron Dome' and the multi-layer And no less important, we secured the nature .interception system and depth of the relationship with the US in the operational, political .and intelligence spheres I am proud that in the last year and a half, alongside important operational achievements, a real spirit of openness and clarity of opinion has returned to the IDF; quiet confidence and modesty, things .that have been damaged from time to time in the past We restored the essential elements of the ethical code and an uncompromising acceptance of the democratic foundations of our lives here; understanding and internalizing the subordination of the military .to the political The decision to retire stems from the fact that I want to spend more time with my family, that I have exhausted the practice of politics — something for which I never had any special desire in the first place — and that the fact that there is space to allow for new people to enter Replacing the [personnel] in .senior positions in Israeli politics .positions of power is a good thing There are many ways to contribute to society and the country; not only .politics As a former chief of staff and prime minister, as well as the current defense minister, and as long as my council is sought after and received, then I will present it before the prime minister and the heads of the establishment on any diplomatic or military matter, as and when .1 am requested to do so EFTA00586423 I would like to thank with all my heart the commanders of the IDF, the personnel of the soldiers in the reserves and of the regular army, the ministry of defense and the intelligence establishment, for enabling me .to function successfully as minister of defense I am proud to stand at the head of [a network of] such wonderful I would like to thank the prime minister, members of the .people government, my devoted friends in the leadership and ranks of the Independence Party, who have all provided me with strength during .Thank you to everyone .long hours, every day, with many tough tasks For the next three months, we will continue to tackle every challenge .together, and I promise you, there will be many challenges EFTA00586424