Vandals desecrate grave of Israel war hero on 31st anniversary of his death

JERUSALEM – Israeli police say vandals have desecrated the grave of Israeli general and statesman Moshe Dayan.

The vandals struck the grave site in northern Israel before dawn on Tuesday, the 31st anniversary of the war hero's death. They spray-painted the words "minister of failure," and signed it "the fallen." A memorial service was held at the site two days ago.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld says police are investigating, but so far no arrests have been made. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned the desecration.

Dayan, easily recognized by his black eye patch, was Israel's military chief from 1953 to 1958, served as defense minister during the 1967 and 1973 Mideast wars, and as foreign minister, later negotiated Israel's peace treaty with Egypt. He died in 1981.