Moshe Ya'alon (Hebrew: משה יעלון; born June 24, 1950), often known by his nickname "Bogie" (בוגי), is an Israeli politician and former general who served as the 17th Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from 2002 to 2005, and later as Minister of Defense from 2013 to 2016. A prominent figure in both Israel's military and political spheres, he is known for his extensive career in special forces, intelligence, and high-level government positions.
Early Life and Military Career Born Moshe Smilansky in Kiryat Haim, Haifa, to parents who were Holocaust survivors, he later Hebraized his surname to Ya'alon. He grew up on Kibbutz Arad. Ya'alon was drafted into the IDF in 1968, joining the Paratroopers Brigade. He served in various capacities during the War of Attrition, the Yom Kippur War (1973), and the 1982 Lebanon War.
His distinguished military career included:
- Sayeret Matkal: After being wounded in the Yom Kippur War, he rejoined the Paratroopers and then transferred to Sayeret Matkal, the IDF's elite special forces unit, eventually becoming its commander in 1987.
- Paratroopers Brigade: He commanded the Paratroopers Brigade from 1990 to 1992.
- Head of Intelligence: Ya'alon served as the head of the IDF's Military Intelligence Directorate (AMAN) from 1995 to 1998.
- Central Command: He commanded the Central Command from 1998 to 2000.
- Deputy Chief of Staff: He became Deputy Chief of Staff in 2000, serving during the initial period of the Second Intifada.
- Chief of Staff: Appointed Chief of Staff in 2002, he led the IDF through much of the Second Intifada, overseeing major counter-terrorism operations, including Operation Defensive Shield. His tenure also involved significant internal debates regarding the Gaza Disengagement Plan, which he personally opposed but ultimately implemented as a military order. He completed his term in 2005.
Political Career Following his retirement from the military, Ya'alon entered politics.
- Joining Likud: He joined the Likud party in 2005, becoming a vocal critic of the Gaza Disengagement and then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
- Knesset Member: He was first elected to the Knesset in 2009.
- Minister of Strategic Affairs: From 2009 to 2013, he served as Minister of Strategic Affairs and as Deputy Prime Minister in Benjamin Netanyahu's government.
- Minister of Defense: In March 2013, Ya'alon was appointed Minister of Defense. During his tenure, he oversaw Operation Protective Edge in Gaza (2014) and managed complex security challenges on Israel's borders. He was known for a generally hawkish stance on security but also for emphasizing military discipline and democratic values within the IDF.
- Resignation: In May 2016, Ya'alon resigned from his position and the Knesset, citing a "lack of trust" in Prime Minister Netanyahu and severe disagreements over the direction of the country and the treatment of military officials. His resignation was particularly prompted by the controversy surrounding an IDF soldier (Elor Azaria) who shot a wounded Palestinian attacker in Hebron, an incident in which Ya'alon defended the military's ethical stance against political interference.
- Post-Likud Politics: After leaving Likud, Ya'alon became a leading critic of Netanyahu. He formed his own party, Telem (תל"ם, an acronym for "National Statesmanlike Movement"), which later joined the Blue and White alliance. He served again in the Knesset and briefly as Minister of Interior for a short period in 2020 as part of the short-lived unity government. He subsequently ran with other factions but ultimately did not return to the Knesset after the 2021 elections.
Political Views Ya'alon is generally considered to be on the right-wing of the Israeli political spectrum, emphasizing strong national security, a firm stance against terrorism, and skepticism regarding immediate solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, he also consistently advocated for maintaining the professional independence and ethical integrity of the IDF, often putting him at odds with more populist political trends. He is a strong opponent of the Iranian nuclear program.
Personal Life Moshe Ya'alon is married to Edna and has three children. He resides in Maccabim-Re'ut.
[[Category:Israeli politicians]] [[Category:Israeli generals]] [[Category:Ministers of Defense of Israel]] [[Category:Chiefs of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces]] [[Category:Likud politicians]] [[Category:Blue and White politicians]]