Ze'ev Schiff deserved a state funeral. He was an Israeli institution - the chronicler of the Jewish state's struggle to achieve security and peace, the paragon of Israeli military correspondents.

Ze'ev combined an encyclopedic knowledge of Israel's military affairs with a reputation for unbiased reporting and an incisive analytical mind. His inside knowledge of the security establishment, and his role as discreet adviser to Israeli statesmen and generals, made him a unique and irreplaceable resource.

But Ze'ev was buried yesterday at Kiryat Shaul, not on Mount Herzl. And that's appropriate because, for all of his great contributions to the State of Israel, he will be remembered most of all for the true friend he was to so many people. That's how I will remember him - and that's why I will miss him so profoundly.