Meet the New IDF Chief of Staff: Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot
The IDF welcomes its new Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Gadi Eisenkot. During his induction ceremony, he addressed the tension and changes in the Middle East and the challenges Israel will face.
17.02.15
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On February 16, 2015, Lt. Gen. Eisenkot became the IDF’s 21st Chief of Staff. He is succeeding former Lt. Gen. Benjamin 'Benny' Gantz who, as of yesterday, entered the military reserve after 38 years of active service.
Lt. Gen. Eisenkot was born in Tiberias on May 19, 1960. At age 18 he joined the IDF and spent his military career commanding different positions with only one objective in mind: to contribute to the security and continuity of his country, Israel.
During the ceremony Lt. Gen. Eisenkot affirmed the following:
“We are in the midst of a tense and challenging time. The Middle East is transforming into an unrecognizable reality characterized by instability and volatility. These challenges require the IDF, more than ever, to be determined, sophisticated and measured.”
According to Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot, this instability could lead the IDF to make difficult choices at both operational and organizational levels.
The Chief of Staff stepped into his new role shortly after Operation Protective Edge. An operation that, according to him, demonstrated once again that the fight for the State of Israel’s security is not over. “Over the years we have lost many soldiers and officers that became our sons and daughters because they made the ultimate sacrifice to guarantee the independence and security of the State of Israel,” said Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot. “Unfortunately, this is the price we have to pay.”
For Lt. Gen. Eisenkot there is no doubt that many challenges face him. “I do not know what the future holds, but you can rest assured that the IDF is ready to face any scenario,” he assured.
