One of nature's noblmen has passed from the scene. I first knew him when he was head of IDF general staff intelligence. His quiet intelligence and personal grace was always notable in a service not always memorable for the kind of restraint and moderation that he he typified.
In retirement from the army he tried to found a centrist political party that would have a real hope of finding peace with the Palestinians and the Israeli government often asked him to act as a communication channel to the PLO and in particular to Yasser Arafat.
I remember walking on the Via Dolorosa in the Old City of Jerusalem with him. It was a pleasant afternoon. Stores were open. I stopped to chat with several shopkeepers. One of them asked me what I was doing with HIM, meaning Amnon. I told the man that this one was different and then began to include General Shahak in the conversation. I acted as his interpreter. A group gathered around us as we talked of business from tourism, conditions of life and hopes for the future. One man said that he could not get the city government to deal with his electricity supply for the store. Amnon made a note and said that he would call Teddy Kolleck, the mayor.
When we walked away the first shopkeeper sad to me, "yes, he is different." pl
The death of such people is a loss for the whole region.
Posted by: Patrick D | 20 December 2012 at 03:29 PM
He was a man I was fortunate enough to know and one I really admired. My fondest memory was how he prefaced most of his commentary - usually after hearing many analysts speak their mind - with "now look!" and then offering his own assessment. He was a very wise man and you're right, it is truly a loss.
Posted by: Jack Connor | 23 December 2012 at 06:52 PM
Jack Connor
One remembers people for foolish things. I remember that he liked "Big Macs" eaten in honor of a fallen comrade who sought them when in the States. pl
Posted by: turcopolier | 23 December 2012 at 08:17 PM
Thank you. It seems that Lipkin-Shahak was "one of nature's noblemen" to the end:
"....just want to mention my last conversation with Lipkin-Shahak. I called him at the hospital after Operation Pillar of Defense to ask him what he thought of the manner on which the operation was conducted and what it achieved. Amnon apologized for his hoarse voice and for the fact that it was difficult for him to speak. "The operation was conducted fairly well and the result is reasonable. But that's not the point. The point is that we must reach an agreement with the Palestinians. Without it, we will have to launch these operations again and again with similar results; and our leaders must also finally understand that in order to reach an agreement with the Palestinians we must talk and close the deal with those who are willing to talk to us and reach an agreement with us. I am referring to Abu Mazen (Mahmoud Abbas). If, god forbid, he will leave, then we will be done for and left with their crazies and our crazies. They will finish us."
Would that those in the leadership of Israel's security services take heed of this warrior's hard-earned wisdom and take heart if & when they are called to deal with their own "crazies". It's they who are the existential threat to Israel.
Posted by: lally | 24 December 2012 at 12:08 AM