The caustic comments dripping with revulsion that Yossi Beilin, a former government minister, made about former Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer just two hours after his death Aug. 28 were sure to make waves. It wasn’t just that people tend not to speak that way about the dead on TV before they've been buried. Nor was it simply because Beilin intentionally took aim at the dignity of the deceased, popularly known as “Fuad,” whose many official positions included defense minister for the State of Israel. It was also because there was a much deeper issue, undetectable but primal, lurking between the lines. It was more than just the condescending spirit of Beilin’s remarks; it was the racist subtext that oozed from them.

Beilin explained that he considered Ben-Eliezer an “aggressive, predatory politician.” “He was the kind of politician who should not lead a party like Labor, and certainly not as defense minister, even though in fact, he never actually filled the position. Sharon fulfilled that post as prime minister, while he [Ben-Eliezer] bore the title,” Beilin stated.

He said that Ben-Eliezer lacked an “ideological spine” and mocked his comprehension of security affairs: “He may have presented himself as a security hawk and diplomatic dove, but that wasn’t really the case. I can still hear him addressing the Cabinet. … His analyses, for example, were something along the lines of, 'As I was taking out the trash this morning, the lady next door asked me why we're not doing anything, that we need tanks here and tanks there.'”

Ben-Eliezer served as a brigadier general in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). He was commander of the Shaked Commando Unit and coordinator of government activities in the territories. His proven experience and understanding of security affairs went far beyond anything Beilin has to offer. He was also a highly esteemed defense minister who was deeply involved in and set policy during the second intifada and Operation Defensive Shield (2002). His surveys of defense issues and his understanding of Israel’s regional interests reflected an understanding of both security and diplomatic affairs. Sharon, whom Ben-Eliezer served as defense minister, actually admired him and listened to what he had to say.