Last update - 00:00 01/01/2008
Ex-IDF chief Moshe Levy hospitalized in serious condition after stroke
By Eli Ashkenazi, Haaretz Correspondent, and Haaretz Service
Former Israel Defense Forces chief of staff Moshe Levy was hospitalized Tuesday in serious condition after suffering a stroke.
The 72-year-old Levy, who headed the IDF from 1983-1987, was brought to Haemek Hospital in Afula, not far from his home at Kibbutz Beit Alfa. His wife and children are at his bedside.
Levy suffered a similar stroke several years ago. The former IDF chief was born in Tel Aviv, and was given the nickname "Moshe and a half" due to his immense height. In 1954, he was drafted into the IDF and began his service in the Golani Infantry Brigade.
He later transferred to the paratroopers, where he took part in IDF counter raids in Sinai during the 1950s, in response to Palestinian terror attacks.
During the 1956 Sinai Campaign, Levy served as an operations officer in the paratroopers, and was dropped behind enemy lines. He later served in a number of positions in the Paratroopers' Brigade.
In 1968, he was placed in charge of the Jordan Valley Brigade, which pursued infiltrators from Jordan. He also served as commander of the Central Command's headquarters, as well as the operations department of the General Staff.
He was eventually promoted to GOC Central Command, commander of the Operations Branch, and deputy chief of staff.
In 1983, he replaced Rafael Eitan as chief of staff, and served in the position until 1987.
In 1989, he returned to Beit Alfa, and served as a director of Israel Aircraft Industries and the Israel Electric Corporation. Since 1993, he has served as chairman of the board at the Trans-Israel Highway Corporation.