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Conflicting Ambitions. Sometimes described as a Jewish Jack Kennedy, Weizman is a tall, lean sportsman who in his spare time flies a vintage black Spitfire with red propeller. A Sabra (native Israeli), he learned to fly in the Royal Air Force during World War II. In 1947 he returned to Palestine, where he bombed Arab positions by dropping hand grenades from a Piper Cub. Weizman took over the air force in 1958 and fought for appropriations against tank-minded generals in order to build it into the superb offensive weapon that knocked out the Arab air forces within the first hours of the Six-Day War.
The general already has ambitious plans for the Transport Ministry. "For the love of me," he says, "I do not know why we can have one of the best air forces in the world—sorry, the best —and one of the worst train services. You see, I am not a humble man. But you just watch this wagon move from now on."
Weizman is the brother-in-law of Moshe Dayan, with whom he will serve on the Cabinet's defense committee. Weizman hopes that he can lead the Gahal party into power four years from now. He is fully aware that his main rival may be Dayan, who, of course, has ambitions of his own.