world Surprise Retirement Israel's Defense Minister Barak leaves long political legacy. Joshua Davidovich and Stuart Winer Times of Israel thwarting Iran's drive to a nuclear weapons capability. Barak, 70, said he would leave his post as defense minister when a new govern- ment is formed, likely in February. "I feel there is room now for other people to take up positions in Israel:' he said, adding he now wants to spend more time with his family. Netanyahu said he "respects" Barak's decision to retire from political life and thanked him for his "contributions over many years to the security of the state:' Barak told the press he would be open to staying on as defense minister in the next government if appointed and said he would always be available to advise future governments on matters of defense and national security. Barak proved a popular defense min- ister, even if his political fortunes have waned with time. His Independence Party, which he formed in a surprise 2010 move in the wake of an internal rift with Labor, was expected to gain three seats at most I srael's Defense Minister Ehud Barak announced Monday he would leave political life after the next elections, dropping a bombshell after a career that saw him rise from one of the country's most highly decorated soldiers to prime minister before falling out of favor and then making an improbable comeback. His surprise announcement came less than a week after he oversaw Israel's Operation Pillar of Defense assault on Hamas and other rocket- firing terror groups in Gaza, and after almost four years in which he had been Benjamin Netanyahu's close security partner, working with the prime minister to formulate strategies aimed at in upcoming elections, with some polls showing it unable to even cross the thresh- old to enter the Knesset. Barak remained tight-lipped when asked about the negotiations he has held with other parties and political personalities with whom he has been linked. Rumors had surfaced he was in talks with former Kadima head Tzipi Livni to form a new party. Barak's stepping down likely paves the way for former army chief Moshe Yaalon, currently strategic affairs minister for Likud, to become defense minister, as has long been rumored. Current opposition head Shaul Mofaz, a former defense minis- ter, may also be gunning for the post. Barak, considered a military expert with a flair for the unexpected, served as Israel Defense Forces chief of staff before enter- ing politics in the 1990s. Born on a kibbutz in 1942, Barak was central to the early successes of the IDF's most elite commando unit, Sayeret Matkal, and is the most decorated soldier in Israeli army history, having taken part in a num- ber of daring raids that earned him a repu- tation as a defense stalwart. He entered politics with the left-wing Labor Party in the mid-1990s and succeed- ed Netanyahu as prime minister in 1999, serving concurrently as defense minister. As prime minister, he sought to con- clude a permanent peace accord with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, initiat- ing and participating in 2000's abortive negotiations at Camp David hosted by Bill Clinton. Rebuffed by Arafat after offer- ing an Israeli withdrawal from almost all of the West Bank, Barak later said he had removed the mask" from Arafat, expos- ing him as unwilling to agree to the com- promises necessary for a viable two-state solution. After Netanyahu was elected for a second term in 2009, Barak stayed on as defense minister. He built a strong alliance with Netanyahu, seeming to see eye-to- eye on the imperative for urgent action to thwart Iran's nuclear drive, although recently Barak indicated he believed there was still some more time to see whether sanctions would force the regime to aban- don its program. As he did with Operation Cast Lead four years ago, Barak stewarded the recent Israeli Pillar of Defense assault on Hamas and other terror targets in Gaza following years of rocket fire, and in both cases sought to weaken Hamas' terrorist and rocket-fire capacity, without ousting Hamas and retak- ing the Gaza Strip altogether. " ❑ Raphael Ahren contributed to this report. CareMinders® HOME CARE www.careminders.com if our Comfort, Our Responsi6d Regardless of age, CareMinders' Home Care offers a wide range of both long and short term assistance to adults. You or your loved one may have a temporary or permanent disability or illness, or may just be in need of someone to assist you or them with the activities of daily living. Companion Care Services • Personal Care Services • Nursing Services IW1 41. ji 04, 930 East Mount Hope, Suite B, Lansing, MI 48911 517.908.3200 • info@careminderslansing.com 5829 West Maple Rd, Suite 117, West Bloomfield, MI 48322 248.851.4357 Under New Ownership 36 November 29 • 2012 1796310