Shaul Mofaz says that the Israeli defense forces are as capable today as they were before Ariel Sharon suffered his stroke.
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz stated in a press conference on Thursday that the Defense Ministry and security forces would not be weakened by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s hospitalization.
He reaffirmed that heading Israel’s security system is a group of responsible, experienced people who are doing everything necessary to ensure Israel’s safety. He noted that the new situation did not require any security deployment that was more extensive than at the present.
Addressing the Israeli people, Mofaz said that they could be confident that the sensitive and complex situation to which Israel is now exposed would not weaken the security forces. The IDF, the Shin Bet (Internal Security) and Israel Police would continue to work with determination in order to protect Israel’s security, he concluded.
I have a major urge to say “I told you so,” but I think I’ll pass. Oh, wait. Never mind.
The IDF is also praying for Sharon. See? They can multitask. Take out terrorists when needed, pray for Sharon’s health during the downtime.
While it’s true that day-to-day operations for IDF will probably run as well tomorrow as they did a week ago, the military is still greatly weakened. Sharon was the trategist, he was big think, the mind behind many of Israel’s greatest victories, and some say his strategies, especially in the Six-Day War and the War of Independence are some of the most creative and decisive ever devised.
Sure, we can hope Israel wont have to face any military opposition like we faced in those wars again. And if we can avoid a major war like that in the future, at least part of the credit must go to Sharon. But if Israel is ever faced with a challenge like some of those we’ve faced in the past, IDF will certainly miss Ariel Sharon.