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Shaul MofazDeputy Prime Minister, Minister of Transport and Road Safety of Israel.
Country:
 Israel |
Content:
Early Life and Education
Shaul Mofaz was born in 1948 in Isfahan, Iran (some sources say Tehran). In 1957, he immigrated to Israel with his family. After graduating from Nahalal Agricultural High School in 1966, he was drafted into the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), serving in the 35th Paratroopers Brigade.
Military Career
During the Six-Day War in 1967, Mofaz fought on the Southern Front. In 1968, he completed Officer's Course and became a platoon commander in the 35th Brigade's 890th Battalion, later commanding a company. By 1973, Mofaz had become the commander of Sayeret Tzanhanim, the special reconnaissance unit of the 35th Brigade. In 1976, he participated in Operation Entebbe, the hostage rescue mission in Uganda.
In 1982, during the Lebanon War, Mofaz commanded an infantry brigade in the Northern Command, followed by his appointment as head of the IDF's Officer's School. He also graduated from Bar-Ilan University's Department of Management and the U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College in Quantico.
Mofaz's military career continued with appointments as commander of the 35th Paratroopers Brigade in 1986 and the Galilean Reserve Armored Division in 1988. He became commander of the Galilee Division in 1990. Subsequently, he served as commander of Israeli forces in Judea and Samaria in 1993 and headed the Southern Command in 1994.
In 1996, Mofaz was appointed head of the Planning Directorate of the General Staff. In September 1997, he became head of the Operations Directorate and deputy chief of the General Staff, and in July 1998, he was appointed IDF Chief of Staff.
As Chief of Staff, Mofaz prepared the IDF for armed conflict with the Palestinians before the outbreak of the Second Intifada in September 2000. He initiated the use of tanks, aircraft, and helicopters against Palestinian militants in populated areas, drawing criticism from left-wing parties and human rights organizations. Mofaz also supported the expulsion of Yasser Arafat to a neighboring Arab country.
Political Career
Mofaz retired from the IDF in July 2002 after serving his four-year term. In November 2002, he joined the Likud party and was appointed Minister of Defense. As Defense Minister, Mofaz reformed the reserve service, established a politico-military department in the Ministry, and tasked a team led by former Justice and Finance Minister Dan Meridor to redefine Israel's defense doctrine.
In 2005, during Israel's unilateral disengagement from the Palestinian Authority, Mofaz was responsible for preparing the IDF and other security forces for the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank. In December 2005, he joined Ariel Sharon and most of the Cabinet in defecting from Likud to the Kadima party.
Mofaz was elected to the 17th Knesset in March 2006 as a member of Kadima. In May 2006, he became Deputy Prime Minister under Ehud Olmert, responsible for Israel's strategic affairs, and Minister of Transportation and Road Safety.
