Israel’s Defense Minister Moshe (Bogie) Ya’alon is a man full of surprises and twists and turns. Having already made a few sharp U-turns in his life, his policy during Operation Protective Edge is also said to be one such turn.
One of Israel’s prominent, hard-line right-wing leaders today, Ya’alon has been the dominant champion of an approach to the effect that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) must neither launch a large-scale operation in the Gaza Strip nor conquer it. At most, Israel must make do with an operation to destroy Hamas’ terror tunnels. As a result of his approach, scathing criticism from within the circles of his own Likud Party and the right wing was leveled at him. Yet he remained undeterred. When Ya’alon makes up his mind about something, he follows his decision through. When he is immersed in one concept or another, he will not raise his head to look around him. He will have no second thoughts and he will not waver. Instead, he will believe in his approach, paying no attention to other alternatives.