Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., January 09, 2008 Shvat 2, 5768 | | Israel Time: 14:26 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Former IDF chief of staff Moshe Levy (File) Last update - 18:28 08/01/2008 Former army chief of staff Moshe Levy dies at the age of 72 By Eli Askkenazi and Haaretz Service Tags: paratroops, Moshe Levy, IDF  Former IDF Chief of Staff Moshe Levy, known for his towering height and his soft-spoken ways, died early Tuesday at the age of 72. Levy, known also by his army nickname of "Moshe v'hetzi" [Moshe-and-a-half], had been hospitalized in serious condition at the Emek Hospital in Afula since suffering a severe stroke 10 days ago. Levy was born in Tel Aviv to a family which immigrated from Iraq. He was drafted into the army in 1954, serving first in the Golani infantry brigade. He then transferred to the paratroops, where as an officer he took part in the parachute drop into the Mitla Pass during the 1956 Sinai Campaign. Advertisement After holding a number of command positions, he succeeded Rafael Eitan as chief of staff in 1983. He completed a four year term, then left the army, returning to live at Kibbutz Bet Alfa. After Levy's passing, Prime Minister Ehud said that "Moshe Levy was a great fighter who served the State for many years and used all his energy and capabilities to further establish the strength of the IDF. He led the IDF at a complex time and knew how to inspire others with his spirit and leadership." "He built the Israel Defense Forces as a force of quiet professionalism, a army which was self-restrained in the face of political events and self-restrained internally as well," former army chief Amnon Lipkin-Shahak said of Levy on Tuesday. "He was not only not merely a commander, not merely an army chief, but primarily, he was a human being. As such, he had many colleagues who not only worked with him and respected him, but loved him. I was one of them." Bookmark to del.icio.us   Oh Hillary Clinton throws everything but the kitchen sink at New Hampshire. Jewel of the Crown Diamond billionaire Lev Leviev buys most expensive property ever sold in Britain.   1.   Farewell 13:52  |  K 08/01/08   2.   A final salute to my commanding officer 14:52  |  Albert Edelson 08/01/08   3.   Levy 15:52  |  Sean 08/01/08   4.   Yo Sean, Did u know who he was??? 16:39  |  Massoud Levy 08/01/08   5.   # 3 Sean - Heaven or Hell? 16:44  |  Albert Edelson 08/01/08   6.   #3 Sean is in a hell of his own 19:34  |  T. Langer 08/01/08   7.   Final salute! 00:31  |  Sam 09/01/08   8.   Former army chief of staff Moshe Levy dies at the age of 72 14:22  |  Layla 09/01/08

Today Online Bradley Burston: Mr. Bush, you were born to make peace Responses: 33 Bush arrives in Israel for first presidential visit, sees 'new opportunity for peace' Responses: 45 House hit as Qassam barrage from Gaza Strip strikes Sderot Responses: 16 Early warning system fails to spot Katyusha strike in North Responses: 32 Jewish group asks AG to halt dig in J'lem Muslim Quarter Responses: 12 Rosner's Domain What does "change" mean for Israel? 2008 race: The marathon is far from over Rosner's Guest: Israel at present is not a light unto the nations Rosner's Mailbox: Anti-Semites within Ron Paul's camp "It is not enough to launch a peace process" (WTR) More Headlines 14:09 Bush arrives in Israel for first presidential visit 05:58 ANALYSIS: Bush can spur peace talks, but can't solve Gaza issue 13:22 House hit as Qassam barrage from Gaza Strip strikes Sderot 11:00 Clinton wins in New Hampshire, reviving White House bid 10:49 Jewish group asks AG to halt dig in Jerusalem's Muslim Quarter 13:46 Court convicts IDF doctor who offered to spy for Iran, Hamas, Russia 11:44 Report: 75 passengers quarantined after taking ill on T.A.-Toronto flight 13:34 Israeli doctors enter Gaza for first time since Hamas takeover 13:48 Alleged crimelord Abutbul sentenced to 18 months in prison Previous Editions Select Day 08 jan 07 jan 06 jan 04 jan 03 jan 02 jan 01 jan 31 dec 30 dec 28 dec 27 dec 26 dec

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