Power was transferred smoothly in the IDF today. Maj.-Gen. Aharon Ze\'evi-Farkash was appointed to head IDF Intelligence, in place of Gen. Amos Malka. Participating in the ceremony were Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Sha’ul Mofaz, the head of the Mossad, and others. Lt.-Gen. Mofaz said, \"During these particularly sensitive and complex times, IDF Intelligence is a critical anchor that enables the army to operate properly.\"
Malka also addressed the assembled and thanked Ben-Eliezer for allowing him to express himself \"even when I didn\'t agree with you.\" Gen. Malka said yesterday that the decision not to allow Arafat to attend Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem did not cause undue damage to Israel\'s image; Ben-Eliezer had been against the decision.
Malka also addressed the assembled and thanked Ben-Eliezer for allowing him to express himself \"even when I didn\'t agree with you.\" Gen. Malka said yesterday that the decision not to allow Arafat to attend Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem did not cause undue damage to Israel\'s image; Ben-Eliezer had been against the decision.