Defense Minister Ehud Barak last week canceled a trip to Washington, scheduled to leave for America on Sunday morning. The defense minister was expecting to meet with senior officials to discuss a number of matters, as well as planning to close the deal on an aide package surrounding Israel�s 60th independence anniversary.

It appears the disclosure of the arrest of accused elderly former spy Ben-Ami Kadish resulted in a negative atmosphere, prompting Barak aides to advise against such a trip at this time.

An official statement released by Defense Ministry officials� states the defense minister is remaining in Israel to monitor developments in Gaza as well as other security considerations.

(Yechiel Spira � YWN Israel)