Barak in Golan: We're watching Hezbollah's strengthening closely

 Last update - 11:12 12/08/2008       
Barak in Golan: We're watching Hezbollah's strengthening closely
By Yuval Azoulay, Haaretz Correspondent

Defense Minister Ehud Barak said on Tuesday that Israel is following closely the strengthening of Lebanese guerilla group Hezbollah, speaking to Israel Defense Forces soldiers in the Golan Heights.

 

"We're following closely the violations of the balance by Hezbollah and Syria, and the strengthening beyond the fence," Barak told the troops, who were participating in a training exercise.
 
"It's not for nothing that we're training here," he added.

 

Barak went on to criticize an expected cut to the Defense Ministry budget, arguing that this is a luxury that Israel cannot allow itself.

 

"We live in a country in which security is made up not only of tanks and planes, but also of the fostering of excellence, education and welfare. In a country like ours, we do not have the luxury to harm the defense budget," Barak asserted.