Avigdor Kahalani, a recipient of the Israeli Medal of Valor for his actions in the 1973 Yom Kippur War, appeared at the Israel Hayom summit in New York and analyzed the military fronts Israel is currently facing.
"October 7 was like a nuclear bomb in Israel," Kahalani said. "No one can explain what happened, not even me as a commander. It was a revolution. Everything changed. Lebanon is not a threat to Israel's future. They have a leader who looks like Goliath from the Bible, but he doesn't control Hezbollah. We can contain them and defeat them."
Video: Avigdor Kahalani at the Israel Hayom summit
He said he remains astonished by what has unfolded in Syria. "Syria is an unbelievable story. I commanded forces against them for many years, and now I see my friends across the border walking several kilometers deep into Syria. I could never have imagined that in my wildest dreams."
Kahalani was asked whether the Israel Defense Forces should remain on the Syrian side of Mount Hermon. "We are there, and I think we are negotiating over it. We will withdraw back to the border only once we have a security agreement with them. Being on the summit of Mount Hermon is not my dream. It's nice, but it's not such a big deal for security."
Can peace be made? "When I was a child, when the dogs saw a cat, they wanted to eat it. I don't believe them. I believe they want to kill the Jewish people, and in the jungle we live in, if you're soft and gentle they'll eat you. I believe these people will wait around the corner and one day try to take back the Golan and destroy our state. Right now it's quiet because they have their own problems, but don't trust them."
Kahalani then turned to Iran and Operation Iron Wolf. "We defeated them together with the Americans. We overcame enormous obstacles. We never thought we could fly 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles) from Israel and win. It's a source of pride. We had to defend ourselves, and I think this war, from a distance of ten to twelve years from now, will change our entire country. It will bring quiet."
