Race is on for next IDF chief

Deputy Chief of Staff Gantz, Southern Command Chief Galant are leading candidates to replace IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi

Hanan Greenberg|Published: 04.06.10 , 21:44

Within six months, the IDF will know who its number one soldier will be, but in the meantime, a quiet struggle between the candidates is expected to take place. On Tuesday, Defense Minister Ehud Barak announced that he would not extend the term of IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, and now, there are two prominent candidates likely to take his place: Deputy Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Benny Gantz and Southern Command chief Maj.-Gen. Yoav Galant.

Two other candidates, Northern Command head Maj.-Gen. Gadi Eizenkot and Maj.-Gen. Moshe Kaplinsky, who served as deputy chief of staff before retiring from the IDF, have less of a chance of filling Ashkenazi's post.

It remains unclear how visible the struggle will be to the general public, but the choice is expected to be made between 52-year-old Galant and 51-year-old Gantz. The two, who consider themselves fit for the role, currently deal with a number of sensitive security matters, including the southern front in Gaza, and will be asked to hold talks and interviews with the defense minister ahead of an appointment.

Gantz was appointed to his current post as a "compromise" after Barak backed Galant but Ashkenazi preferred to have Eizenkot as his deputy. To his credit, Gantz served in a number of senior positions in the General Staff, but has not recorded many successes or gained much popularity.

Galant chose to remain head of the Southern Command, giving up an offer to head the ground forces, possibly out of the belief that his chances of making it to the chief of staff's seat were high. Galant, who is associated with the success of Operation Cast Lead, also has the support of many high-ranking officers and is considered a true professional.

According to military estimates, the candidate that does not get the job is expected to retire from the IDF.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak will have much influence on the decision, and will likely receive the support of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in any case. The outgoing chief of staff will also be able to give his opinion on who should replace him, but it is unlikely this will be of any significance in the selection process. Ashkenazi may also chose to abstain from giving his opinion and settle for general remarks on the candidates.