| As defense minister, Weizman watched a joint Air Force and ground forces
exercise in the Jordan Valley in 1978. |
At a cocktail party, he was ever charming. His niece, Yael Dayan, receives
a warm welcome from uncle Ezer. |
January 1996: On a state visit to Germany, with President Roman Herzog.
(credit: Presse und Informationsamt der Bundesregiering)
|
On May 24, the Attorney-General published his report on the Weizman-Seroussi
chardes. Weizman answered' Reporters' question about his plans. In the wake
of the report, Weizman decided to step down. (credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
|
Thursday , Jul 13, 2000 Sun-Thu at 18:00 (GMT+3)
Headlines
Ezer and Reuma Weizman Leave President's Residence, Return to Caesaria
By Globes' correspondent
After seven years and two months at the President's Residence in Jerusalem,
outgoing President Ezer Weizman and his wife, Reuma, today left the Residence
and went back to their home in Caesaria.
The Weizmans bid farewell to Residence staff in a moving ceremony. All
staff gathered in the salon, and applauded as the couple entered the room.
In his speech, Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert said that Weizman's presidential
status was not based solely on his formal title. "He was a leader
among people because the nation loved him. He reached through to everybody,
striking a responsive chord in each one of us."
Weizman, who did not conceal his emotion, said he had already bid farewell
many times in his life, "but this is the last public post I'm leaving.
In any case, I'm leaving with a feeling of satisfaction."
Even on his last day in the President's Residence, Weizman commented on
recent developments. He sharply condemned Shas allegations concerning
discrimination against Jews of Sephardi origin. The allegations were made
following the verdict on Deri's appeal to the Supreme Court of Justice.
"Some freaks are pouring oil on the flames. The Israel Defense Force
chief of staff and the Air Force commander are of Persian origin. The
IDF Southern Command chief is of Libyan origin. The Northern Command chief
and the head of Military Intelligence are of Moroccan origin. Inflammatory
statements harping on the ethnic theme must be discontinued at once,"
Weizman said.
Referring to the comparison drawn by key Shas officials between the investigation
against the President and the Deri affair, Weizman dismissed such statements
as irresponsible and incorrect. "I've never been indicted. I've never
been brought to trial. If it widens the rift in the Israeli nation, I
regret being dragged into it."
On being asked about his wishes for the future, Weizman said, "As
we army guys used to say in the good old days: To hell with life. What
really counts is keeping healthy."
Published by Israel's Business Arena on 13 July, 2000
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