New IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi is pictured with outgoing Ramatkal Aviv Kochavi during today's command change ceremony. Halevi, the former Deputy Chief of Staff, was sworn in as the IDF's 23rd Chief of Staff.
Aviv Kochavi concludes an illustrious 40 years of IDF service. Halevi meanwhile will take reins of Israel's military as the country's top soldier. He will prioritize combating the Iranian threat as well as the tense Palestinian front. Equally important will be his ability to ensure that the IDF remains an apolitical institution and clear of the increasing attempts at politicization, led by certain right wing MKs, that have crept in. Halevi so far has made it clear that any attempts to alter the command structure of the IDF will be met with resistance and not be tolerated. He emphasized that the Chief of Staff shall only report to Israel's Defense Minister. These are the same statement echoed by his immediate predecessor, Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi.
