Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Eyal Zamir takes helm of IDF as Netanyahu celebrates 'time of Zamir' - Yonah Jeremy Bob

 

by Yonah Jeremy Bob

Zamir said that he will press for an "equal burden sharing" of service, wanting to increase the number of haredim serving in the IDF.

 

Eyal Zamir replaced Herzi Halevi as IDF chief of staff on Wednesday, also being promoted to lieutenant general, in the ceremony led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and in the presence of all of the leaders of the defense establishment.

Along with the entire IDF high command, Mossad Director David Barnea and Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar were also in attendance, as was CENTCOM chief Michael Kurilla.

Netanyahu opened the speech thanking Kurilla, saying, “Your relationship with General Herzi Halevi was a tangible asset to our national security.”

“Until a few generations ago, we were pushed from place to place like straw in the wind,” but we returned our control of our fate, and “our history is [framed as] before the establishment of the IDF and after it. This doesn’t mean our enemies can’t attack us. We saw this on October 7..but unlike before we can” take the war to them, said the prime minister.

Netanyahu promised Israel would return all of the hostages and end Hamas’s military and political rule.

OUTGOING IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi (left) and his successor, Eyal Zamir, attend a ceremony in 2019. (credit: FLASH90)Enlrage image
OUTGOING IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi (left) and his successor, Eyal Zamir, attend a ceremony in 2019. (credit: FLASH90)

Next, he said that although Zamir had lost the race for IDF chief twice, that the third time was a charm and “the time of Zamir.”

He said that he had been very impressed by Zamir’s capabilities as his military secretary, in particular his ability to coordinate between the defense and political echelons.

The prime minister also complimented Zamir in his work at the defense ministry in helping Israel to become more independent in producing more of its own weaponry.


Zamir said that he will press for an "equal burden sharing" of serving in the IDF in a clear reference to wanting to increase the number of haredim serving in the IDF.

He said, "Therefore, we will act to broaden all of the parts of the population in all of the units of the IDF. The role of defending our State must be divided up equally." 

The incoming IDF chief said that while the Torah and Jewish tradition are important, action is also crucial.

Zamir stated that the size of the army and its budget must grow and soon.

He also committed to returning all of the hostages and all Israeli residents to their homes in the North and the South.

Defense Ministry, Katz congratulate Zamir

The Defense Ministry congratulated Zamir on his appointment on X, saying: "Defense Minister Israel Katz and the Israel Ministry of Defense congratulate the 24th IDF Chief of the General Staff, LT. Gen. Eyal Zamir, and wish him success in leading the IDF to victory across various fronts.

"Lt. Gen. Zamir has served as Director General of the IMOD for the past two years primarily during the current war. Throughout this period, he has guided the Ministry through unprecedented operation demands while implementing innovative initiatives to bolster Israel's 'Blue and White' production capabilities. Under his leadership, Lt. Gen. Zamir established the Division for Reserve Soldiers' Affairs, enhanced investment in R&D for future battlefield technologies, and created the first AI and Autonomy PEO in the Ministry's recent history."

"Eyal - now Lt. Gen. Eyal -  the command you assume today comes with tremendous responsibility and significance, as you well understand," Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement. "After dedicating over forty years to safeguarding our nation, you have proved yourself worthy of this position. Your extensive command experience, operational expertise, leadership abilities, and comprehensive understanding of all theaters of operation makes you the right commander at this critical juncture to lead the IDF through these challenging times."

IDF Chief-of-Staff Eyal Zamir visits the Western Wall, in Jerusalem, on March 5, 2025 (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)Enlrage image
IDF Chief-of-Staff Eyal Zamir visits the Western Wall, in Jerusalem, on March 5, 2025 (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)

Zamir's appointment 

On February 16, Defense Minister Israel Katz announced Zamir’s appointment, which came a week after the vetting committee led by former chief justice Asher Grunis approved Zamir.

Besides having the number one non-political role at the Defense Ministry, which has put him in control of much of Israel’s international defense relations and force buildup over the last two years, Zamir had been deputy IDF chief, Southern Command chief, and military secretary of the prime minister, three of the most prominent positions in the IDF high command.

Zamir came a close second to Halevi in the race for IDF chief in January 2023, but then-defense minister Benny Gantz made that pick toward the end of an 18-month period when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was out of power.


Yonah Jeremy Bob

Source: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-844794

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