At a time when the public questions leadership, a few people stop to pay tribute to a national icon.
By ORI RAPHAELmoshe dayan 88(photo credit: )
At a time when the public is questioning its leadership, a few from the civilian and military communities stopped to pay tribute to a national icon, Moshe Dayan.
At 3:00 p.m. Sunday, 50 people gathered at his grave in Nahalal to mark the 25th anniversary of his passing on October 15, 1981. Uzi Dayan, a retired general and Moshe Dayan's nephew, read the Kaddish all the while a light rain sprinkled down on the solemn remembrance.
Yael Dayan, Moshe Dayan's daughter and a former member of the Knesset, recalled how her father "was a leader who had originality and courage, what leadership is conformed from."
"Twenty-five years seems like yesterday," she added, pointing out that in Israel's short history, it is not a long time at all.
Dayan's memorial also put modern events into perspective. With the second Lebanon war and the criticism of the political and military leadership still fresh in Israelis' minds, many recalled similar feelings after the Yom Kippur War of 1973.
"Today it is important to remember what it is like when there is a lack of leadership," Yael Dayan said, recalling the feelings of losing her father. She also said this anniversary was different because many of the people who came regularly missed the occasion, in particular former prime minister Ariel Sharon.
Moshe Dayan's life story is the textbook Israeli leaders' biography.
After joining the Hagana at the age of 14, he took part in Israel's armed conflicts until 1953, when he was elected chief of staff of the armed forces. He led the armed forces in the Sinai Campaign of 1957 and shortly afterwards began his career in politics.
As defense minister in 1967, he helped lead Israel to another victory over the united Arab armies. The 1973 Yom Kippur War was his most controversial moment, bringing him criticism from some and praise from others.
