Barak: Security is responsibility of political echelon

Defense minister tours military base in Nablus; says "security situation is the best today that it has been in recent years."

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Barak visits Nablus 311 (photo credit: Ariel Harmoni/ Defense Ministry)
Barak visits Nablus 311
(photo credit: Ariel Harmoni/ Defense Ministry)
Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Tuesday stressed that there is a link between politics and defense, a day after him and four Labor MKs left the party and formed a new faction, called Independence.
During a during a tour of a military base in Nablus Barak said, "we came here to make sure that everything related to security will be handled properly, and of course our responsibility in the political echelon is to ensure that the political process continues to support this, because there is a link between this and the security situation in the region."
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Barak praised the security forces saying, " I am grateful to impose the extraordinary achievements of security all over Judea and Samaria Division Central Command, also here in Nablus. It's the fruit of exceptional labor and professionalism of the IDF, the Shin Bet and the coordination of common interests and understandings with the Palestinian security forces."
Added Barak, "the security situation is the best today that it has been in recent years, and for it to continue as such, we will have to integrate the intelligence and operational activities with the political horizon to the process with the Palestinians."
When asked about the political situation Barak deflected the question saying, "we went on a new political path but I think that here in Nablus, in a military base, this is the place to discuss these things. Here we come to ensure security, to give soldiers a pat on the shoulder, shake hands and ensure the political echelon commanders will also look at the political horizon."