Maj. Gen. Herzl Halevi officially entered the role of IDF deputy chief of staff in a changing of the guard ceremony at Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv, Sunday.
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Among those in attendance at the ceremony were Defense Minister Benny Gantz, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi.
In his remarks at the ceremony, Gantz thanked both Halevi and Zamir.
He said: "Eyal, you represent the quiet and stately commandment and the professionalism alongside initiative and creativity. Together with the Homefront Command, you knew how to lead IDF operations in conjunction with decision-makers, with everyone knowing they had someone to rely on .…."
Turning to Halevi, Gantz said: "You are an officer of special operations who knows how to get down into the details, but as was proven in Operation Guardian of the Walls, a commander who also knows how to build a campaign, incorporating all the [military] arms and necessary abilities. Now, you have been tasked with continuing to build the IDF's power, advancing the multi-year plan [designed to increase the IDF's offensive and defensive capabilities sevenfold], and bolstering the power of the IDF as the people's army alongside the chief of staff."
Addressing the ceremony, Kochavi noted the role of IDF deputy chief of staff "has become more significant today, at a time when building up power is [a] multi-armed [effort]. Eyal, you have done an extraordinary job, a job that gave me a great deal of confidence. In operational activity and the aspects of power-building, in the concept of operating and implementing the Momentum multi-year plan, you brought vast experience, discretion, practicality, pragmatism, and above all, you brought many results. You were an extraordinary partner, and you did it with great elegance.
Turning to Halevi, Kochavi said: "We've known each other for many years. I'm very happy to receive you as my partner. I very much trust your wisdom, your operational experience, and your judgment, and I expect us to continue to implement the Momentum multi-year plan to make a better army that takes better care of its people."
In a speech at the event, Halevi expressed great appreciation for his predecessor, Maj. Gen. Eyal Zamir, who was also in attendance. He said he could "feel the responsibility that will be placed on my shoulders in a minute. I thank the defense minister and the chief of staff for their faith and for choosing me, and I commit to making every effort to act in every way for the IDF's success in its many missions and complex challenges."
Halevi said: "The IDF's role is not just preventing the destruction of our home but mainly preventing the creation of the conditions for a threat to the stability of the walls. There are threats, but there are robust walls that we will continue to bolster, and there is a home we will continue to nurture.
In his remarks, Zamir, who was retiring after 37 years of military service, turned to Kochavi and said: "You have led a vital and impressive process of change. [You were] The right commander, person, and leader at the right place and a time when the IDF needed a chief of staff like you.
Turning to his successor, Zamir said: "You are entering a significant and influential role. You are an experienced commander and a fine leader. You have proven this in all of your roles. I am convinced you will learn and mainly influence much as deputy chief of staff."
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