Ehud Barak
Photo: Effie Shrir
Barak: Israel wants peace but knows how to fight wars
Defense minister says during commemoration ceremony for fallen paratroopers, ' We want peace even when voices of war arise in Syria and swords are being readied in Iran'
Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Thursday that Israel was not interested in war but is strong enough to defend itself should its neighbors attack.
"We can win in every situation. We want peace even when voices of war arise in Syria and swords are being readied in Iran," Barak said during a ceremony at the Har Nof air force base to commemorate fallen IDF paratroopers.
"I promise to continue to defend the state of Israel. The threats are now different in nature and are more dangerous. It is now the 60th year since Israel's inception, and are still conspiring to wage war against us, but we are not resting - we are dreaming of peace, building, sowing and fighting," he said.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi told those on hand that "many failures were exposed during last summer's war in Lebanon, and we are constantly working to correct them.
"Only a strong, capable and prepared IDF can serve as a true security net for Israel's continued existence," he said.
The army chief also addressed last Tuesday's incident in Nablus in which an IDF soldier was killed, saying "the fighters of the Paratrooper Brigade's reconnaissance unit raided a refugee camp with the aim of apprehending terrorists and thwarting a terror attack in Israel's home front.
"There, in the alleyways of the camp in the heart of the Casba, a battle erupted in which our soldiers once again showed determination, professionalism and courage. We paid a heavy price - Ben-Zion Haim Henman was shot and killed. His comrades were not deterred and continued fighting. They killed the terrorists who shot their friend and are completing the mission, in keeping with the Paratrooper Brigade's tradition and the spirit of the IDF."
