Rear Adm. Ram Rutberg appointed commander in chief of the Israel Navy

Minister of Defense Ehud Barak, Vice Admiral Eliezer Marom, Vice Admiral Ram Rutberg and IDF Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz Toast

Vice Adm. Rutberg replaced Vice Adm. Eliezer Marom, following his four year tenure as commander in chief of the Israel Navy and 38 years of military service.

Barak wished all the best to the incoming commander in chief of the Israel Navy, Vice Adm. Rutberg, and said, “I want to thank Eliezer from the bottom of my heart for years of service. Eliezer always knew how to operate throughout his service, in every duty and on the operational front. Under your command, the Navy has pushed the boundaries and the envelopes of operational ability in fields that a few years ago we would have never thought possible—now everything has been executed. In this sense, you have led the Israeli Navy down a long road with leadership, modesty, and seriousness, starting from a difficult point. For that, thank you, and I am confident you will find success wherever you go. Ram was part of an extraordinary operational track, from his work in the Israel Navy Commando, to ground operational forces, and returning to the Navy. Ram, you bring with you different aspects to the operational experience, to a corps where operation is its core and content of its everyday being. I wish you the best of luck and good luck to us all.”

The IDF Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Gantz thanked Vice Adm. Marom and wished Vice Adm. Rutberg all the best. He stated, “The navy has many dimensions of operation in its submarines, missile boats, and special units, and the navy has seen significant  progress in recent years thanks to determination, ethics, modesty, and devotion. In the military, we see a lot of significance to moral strength as well as physical strength. In the navy’s beginning, when ships were still crafted out of wood, it was said that ‘the ships may be made of wood, but its crew was made of steel’. Today, ships are made of steel and I can honestly say to you, Eliezer, that you too are made of steel.”

Vice Adm. Marom said, “In recent years, the Israeli Navy has operated in all arenas, both far and near, with creativity, flexibility, and determination, and returned from all its missions as a winner.”

Vice Adm. Rutberg thanked the Defense Minister and the IDF Chief of the General Staff for trusting him with the position and said, "the Israeli Navy is well-trained and determined and I accept the role with a sense of responsibility and great respect.”