FORMER ISRAELI GENERAL

Mideast a clash of civilizations, former top Israeli general says By Eric Swedlund ,arizona daily star 10.17.2006

The security threats facing Israel and the West are in the midst of a fundamental change as ideologies of Islamic radicals replace nationalist motives, said a former top commander ofIsrael's military. Lt. Gen. Moshe Ya'alon, who was chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces from 2002 to 2005, was in Tucson for a speaking engagement. He said his country's enemies have abandoned conventional warfare, instead attacking civilian populations to avoid confrontations with Israel's military forces.

They believe our society, our civilian population, is the weakest link in the national security chain,he said. The IDF chief of staff is the top job in Israel's military, similar to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the United States. Groups like Hamas and Hezbollah share the goal of defeating Western culture, not just Israel, said Ya'alon in an interview before the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona event. Israel, because of its geographic situation, is on the front line of this clash of civilizations, Ya'alon said. The problem with radical Islamists is they do not recognize Israel's right to exist as an independent Jewish state at all.

Combating the challenges starts with an understanding of the new reality and improved analysis. More territorial concessions by Israel will not end the conflicts, but instead serve the interests of radical Islamists, he said. What we need is a clear understanding of the situation and of course a clear strategy,Ya'alon said. It's not just for the state of Israel, it's for the West. I feel like we lack this clear analysis and determination in the West. Ya'alon said even though extremists rule much of the Middle East, they're not serving the interests of many of the people, who are interested in peace but stifled by the ruling regimes.

We can find many partners in our region, even on the Palestinian side, he said.In many societies around us there is a clash of civilizations in their own society, not just between them and the West. Israeli society has always been known for its strong opinion and Gen. Ya'alon is really respected in the Israeli public because he's been a straight shooter,said Stuart Mellan, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona. Ya'alon retired from the military in 2005 and has been a fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. His speech was part of an Israel Solidarity Event Monday at Temple Emanu-El.

The fundraising effort has a goal of raising $1 million to support humanitarian services in Israel, Mellan said. Contact reporter Eric Swedlund at 573-4115 or at eswedlund@azstarnet.com.