In May 2009, a 22 member delegation of the auditors’ association of the Institut des Hautes Etudes de la Defense Nationale, a public body of the defence establishment, visited Israel led by Colonel Aboab. The purpose was to assess the situation in the country following Operation Cast Lead and the induction of the new government team.
General Varret was struck by the changes in the country since his last visit. The search for peace has been complicated by the split between Fatah and Hamas. General Varret also expressed his concern over the poverty that reigns in Gaza and the negative effects of “the wall”, feeling that these issues aren’t sufficiently being taken into account by Israel. However, the main threat is the Iranian nuclear threat. Senior Israeli military staff met during the course of this visit claim they can face such a major threat.
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