Defense Minister Benny Gantz has nominated IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Hertzi Halevi to replace Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kohavi and become the 23rd chief of staff.
Halevi was long seen as a front-runner to replace Kohavi, who is set to retire in January.
“He is the most suitable officer in terms of the rich operational experience he has in a variety of areas, as well as in terms of his command abilities and his approach to various military issues, which he has demonstrated throughout his years of service,” Gantz said in a statement.
“He is the most suitable officer in terms of the rich operational experience he has in a variety of areas, as well as in terms of his command abilities and his approach to various military issues, which he has demonstrated throughout his years of service.”
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz
The decision was made following a thorough assessment process conducted over the period of several months, Gantz’s office said in a statement.
How did Israel choose the next IDF chief of staff?
The selection process, which is based on recommendations by the military advocate-general, consists of six stages. Gantz consulted with Kohavi, Prime Minister Yair Lapid and former senior officials, including prime ministers, defense ministers and chiefs of staff.
Deciding between Halevi and Maj.-Gen. Eyal Zamir was “a choice between two worthy and good candidates,” Lapid said.
“The choice of Maj.-Gen. Hertzi Halevi is worthy and natural,” he said. “Hertzi is an outstanding officer with a wealth of experience and skills. I am sure that he will lead the IDF to many significant achievements.”
Kohavi “welcomed the selection of a highly talented and experienced officer,” the IDF said, adding that he congratulated Halevi on his appointment and wished him luck.
In the coming week, Gantz will present Halevi’s name to the Senior Appointments Advisory Committee, which is headed by Supreme Court Justice Menachem Mazuz. Subject to its approval, Gantz will then bring the nomination to the government for approval.
“It should be noted that the defense minister has a significant acquaintance over decades with the two final candidates for the appointment in a variety of positions,” Gantz’s office said.
Gantz spoke with Halevi and informed him of the decision.
Who is Hertzi Halevi, the next IDF chief of staff?
Halevi, 54, was drafted into the Paratroopers Brigade in 1985 and later served in the elite General Staff Reconnaissance Unit (Sayeret Matkal) before commanding it in 2001. He replaced Zamir as deputy chief of staff after serving as head of Military Intelligence and Southern Command.
Gantz also spoke with Zamir, who is currently a research fellow at the Washington Institute, and told him he considers him an “excellent and worthy candidate” and thanked him for his contribution to Israel’s security over his decades of service.
Zamir is a quality candidate for future positions in the defense establishment and would continue to contribute to the state, Gantz said.
Kohavi also spoke with Zamir following the announcement.
Zamir was a leading candidate to replace former chief of staff Lt.-Gen. (ret.) Gadi Eisenkot in 2018.
Zamir spent most of his career in the Armored Corps and commanded the Seventh Armored Brigade and the 36th Armored Division (Ga’ash Division). He held a number of key positions in Ground Forces Command before serving as former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s chief military and intelligence adviser.