Topic: Matan Vilnai
Quotes
We shouldn't get involved. We need to watch and should follow this very closely even when we are dealing with other fronts
Israel closely monitors Lebanon clashes May 11, 2008
We have an obligation to prevent a humanitarian disaster in Gaza
Israel closes Gaza fuel supply after raid Apr 10, 2008
The opening of the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza will be very problematic for Israel
Rafah border crossing to open daily May 26, 2011
The defense establishment has concrete intelligence regarding plans by a terror cell from the Sinai consisting of more than 10 people
Israeli minister: Terror attack is planned Aug 30, 2011
Matan Vilnai (Hebrew: מתן וילנאי, born 20 May 1944) is an Israeli politician and a former Major General in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). He is currently Minister for Home Front Defense and a member of the Knesset for Independence.
Vilnai was born in Jerusalem in 1944. His father was Prof. Zev Vilnay, a pioneer in the sphere of Israeli geography and Land of Israel studies, from whom he inherited a love of nature and hiking. He was drafted into the Israel Defense Forces in 1966, serving in the Paratroopers Brigade and the elite reconnaissance unit Sayeret Matkal. He was deputy commander of the assault force in Operation Thunderbolt, also known as the Entebbe Raid, to free Jewish and Israeli passengers taken hostage by Palestinian and German terrorists after their Air France plane was hijacked to Entebbe, Uganda. Vilanai led the assault team into the airport building, while another team secured the outside. As a major general, Vilnai was the head of the Manpower Directorate, as well as the Deputy Chief of Staff.
Today Vilnai lives in Mevasseret Zion and is a married father of three.
It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Matan Vilnai."