(NEWS) Barak: Iran Wants To Deceive World

"Defense minister pessimistic about upcoming nuclear talks, says 'Iran a major threat to world order'.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak expressed little optimism on Saturday about a proposed round of talks between global powers and Iran, which is under pressure over its nuclear ambitions.

'We are still in the stage of diplomacy and sanctions,' Barak said when asked by reporters about the prospects for the talks, which are tentatively scheduled to take place this month in Vienna."

(NEWS) Shalits Stage Protest Outside Barak's TA Home

"Captive soldier's family, supporters block roads adjacent to defense minister's Tel Aviv home. Noam Shalit calls on Barak to 'stop hiding behind cabinet, do what it takes to get Gilad back'.

The Shalit family staged a protest rally outside Defense Minister Ehud Barak's Tel Aviv home Friday.

The protestors, led by Aviva and Noam, parents of captive soldier Gilad Shalit, blocked several roads around the Akriov Towers, forcing the police to close the area to traffic."

(NEWS) Noam Schalit Leads Protest Outside Barak's TA Residence

"Hundreds of demonstrators call for release of Gilad Schalit; hold signs, reading 'sorry I voted Barak.'

Noam Schalit, along with hundreds of others, protested outside of Defense Minister Ehud Barak's Tel Aviv residence on Friday.

The demonstrators called for the release of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Schalit and held signs stating 'sorry I voted Barak.'"

(NEWS) Barak: History Will Judge US Policy On Iran

"Defense minister tells Fox News Islamic Republic may obtain nuclear capabilities within two years, says, 'We have to start considering what follows if sanctions won't work.' To Clinton: Any peace deal must preserve Israel's security interests.

'Part of the way history will judge' the current US administration is whether Iran 'turned nuclear' under its watch, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said overnight Tuesday.

In an interview with Fox News, Barak said Iran could obtain nuclear capabilities within a year-and-a-half to two years, adding that its continued construction of underground facilities would make a strike more complicated."

(NEWS) Barak: Israel May Divide Jerusalem, Internationalize Holy Basin

"Defense Minister Ehud Barak says it is likely that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will agree to divide Jerusalem with the Palestinian Authority.

Barak told the Hebrew-language newspaper Haaretz in an interview published Wednesday that he believes the best chance for peace lies in a peace deal in which all the Arab neighborhoods in Jerusalem would be handed over to the PA in order to create a capital for a new Arab country.

'If Netanyahu leads a process, a significant number of rightist ministers will stand with him,' he told the newspaper. 'So what is needed is courage to make historic, painful decisions. I'm not saying that there is certainty for success, but there is a chance. This chance must be exploited to the fullest.'"

(NEWS) Barak To Head To Moscow To Prevent Missile Sale To Syria

"Defense Minister will head to Russia amid Israeli concerns regarding sale of advanced military technology to Syria and Iran.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak will travel to Russia next week amid Israeli concerns regarding the sale of advanced military technology to Syria and Iran.

Israel is particularly concerned over a deal to supply Syria with advanced supersonic P-800 Yakhont cruise missiles that would pose a serious threat to Israel Navy ships if transferred to Hizbullah. During the 2006 Second Lebanon War, Hizbullah succeeded in striking an Israeli navy missile ship with an Iranian-supplied surface-to-sea missile."

(NEWS) Barak Secretly Meets King Abdullah

"Defense minister visits Amman four days before commencement of direct talks with Palestinians. 'Jordan has a central role in regional peace, helping to reach understandings during the talks,' says Barak.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Sunday met with Jordan's King Abdullah in Amman, just four days before the launching of direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

Barak, who attended a Labor ministers' meeting and a cabinet meeting before departing, secretly flew to the Hashemite Kingdom and met with king Abdullah in his palace."

(NEWS) Barak Chooses Yoav Galant As Next IDF Chief Of Staff

"Gov't to authorize appointment next week; defense minister withholds IDF officer promotions; report: Ashkenazi is friends with top 'Galant Document' suspect.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak announced on Sunday that OC Southern Command Maj.-Gen.

Yoav Galant will be the 20th chief of General Staff, succeeding Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, who is scheduled to step down in February."





Related Article:

• Ashkenazi congratulates Galant

(NEWS) Barak: Lebanon Must Stop Gaza Sail

"Defense minister urges Beirut to stop Gaza-bound Miriam, set to sail Sunday; says sail an 'act of provocation,' ship will not be allowed to reach Strip.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak urged Beirut Friday to stop the Lebanese ship carrying women activists who announced they will try and reach the Gaza Strip, in an attempt to breach its blockade.

In a statement released by the Defense Ministry, Barak urged Lebanon to 'exercise responsibility and stop the Gaza-bound flotilla set to leave its waters.'"

(NEWS) Barak Approves Purchase Of F-35s

"Israel to receive first 20 fighters in 2015, cost estimated at $2.75b.

After months of deliberations, Defense Minister Ehud Barak gave his approval Sunday for the purchase of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) by the Israel Air Force.

A fifth-generation stealth jet, the F-35 is said to be capable of evading all radars and anti-aircraft missile systems."

(NEWS) Barak: 'I Take Full Responsibility For Flotilla Raid'

"In testimony before Turkel Committee, defense minister says all options 'thoroughly examined by Netanyahu, Septet before decisions were made'; Ashkenazi still to give version of events.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Tuesday that he 'bears all responsibility for what happens in the IDF.'

Speaking before the Turkel Committee probe into the IDF raid on a Turkish ship trying to break the Gaza blockade on May 31, Barak said that he took 'full responsibility for military instructions were given during the flotilla raid.'"

(NEWS) Netanyahu, Barak Respond Forcefully To Border Clashes

"PM and Defense minister hold Lebanese government directly responsible after IDF Lt.-Col. Dov Harari killed in action, Capt. Ezra Lakia critically wounded.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak responded Tuesday to news of the fatal northern border clashes between the IDF and the Lebanese army, in which an IDF soldier and 4 Lebanese were killed.

'I hold the Lebanese government directly responsible for this provocation,' Netanyahu said."



Related Articles:

• Pictures Of Soldier 'Dov Harari' Who Was Killed Today
• Map & Pictures Prove Israel Not In Lebanese Territory When Ambushed By Snipers
• IDF Officer Killed In Clash On Israel-Lebanon Border
• 2 IDF Soldiers Wounded In Lebanon Clash
• Residents don't need to enter shelters
• At least four Lebanese killed in border clashes
• Photo gallery: Unrest on the border
• IDF, Lebanese Forces Exchange Fire On Northern Border

(NEWS) Barak: If Hezbollah Strikes, We Hit Lebanon

"Barak issues warning against resuming rocket attacks from North.

The IDF will attack Lebanese government institutions if Israel is again subjected to rocket attacks, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said in an interview with The Washington Post published Sunday.

He told the newspaper that since the Lebanese goverment is allowing Hizbullah to rearm, 'we will not run after each Hizbullah terrorist or launcher. . . . We will see it as legitimate to hit any target that belongs to the Lebanese state, not just to Hizbullah.'"

(NEWS) UN Denounces Use Of Gaza Flotillas

"Barak says Lebanese Gaza-bound ships will be 'stopped at sea.'

The UN said Friday that organizations wishing to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip should do so by land and not attempt to break the Israeli blockade of the territory by sea with flotillas, AFP reported.

UN spokesman Martin Nesirky made the statement at a press briefing amid reports that a flotilla of two vessels from Lebanon was planning to leave for Gaza on Friday or Saturday."

(NEWS) Barak: Lebanese Flotilla A 'Provocation'

"Lebanese Gaza-bound ships will be 'stopped at sea.'

The planned Lebanese flotilla to the Gaza Strip is an 'unneccsary provocation' and Israel holds the Lebanese government responsible to prevent the ships from trying to sail to break the Israel-imposed sea blockade on Gaza, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Friday.

The Israel Navy was on high alert on Friday amid predictions that a flotilla of two vessels from Lebanon were preparing to depart for the Gaza Strip in an effort to break the Israel-imposed sea blockade by the end of the week."

(NEWS) Hamas Slams Fayyad-Barak Handshake

"Group's spokesman refers to meeting between Palestinian prime minister, Israeli defense minister as 'surrender to American pressure'

Palestinian organizations on Monday slammed the handshake between Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem. It was the first meeting between Israeli and Palestinian officials since the proximity talks were launched about two months ago.

After the meeting Barak and Fayyad did not make any statements to the press. The meeting comes one day before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with US President Barack Obama in Washington."

(NEWS) Barak To Meet With Fayyad

"Defense Minister to discuss security issues with Palestinian PM.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak will meet with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad in the next few days, Israel Radio reported.

After meeting with US envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell, Barak told Israel Radio that he will meet with Fayyad to discuss security and economic issues, including the boycott of Israeli goods and curricula in Palestinian schools."

(NEWS) Barak: 'There Are Other Channels Of Action'

"Defense minister hints at non-diplomatic option to free Gilad Schalit.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak discussed kidnapped soldier Gilad Schalit in the Knesset on Monday, hinting that there may be a military option for releasing him.

'We sent Gilad Schalit, and must do everything possible to bring him home,' Barak said. 'There are negotiations taking place, and there are other channels of action - and it would be wrong to elaborate about them.'"

(NEWS) Mullen: I See Israeli Perspective

"Barak expresses appreciation for visiting US army chief.

In a sign of warm ties between the IDF and the United States military, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen declared Sunday during a visit to Tel Aviv that he always tries to view the regional threats from an Israeli perspective.

Mullen landed in Israel early Sunday morning for a brief stopover on his way back to the US from visits to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Mullen met at length with IDF Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi and Military Intelligence chief Maj.-Gen. Amos Yadlin."

(NEWS) Barak: Israel Happy To Welcome Mullen

"We value his contribution to security and stability of the region."