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Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
Eisenkot
Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit

Defense min. extends term of IDF Chief of Staff Eizenkot

'Lt. Gen. Eizenkot is an admired chief of staff who has been leading the army with a great deal of success and professionalism,' says Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman; the announcement comes early, assumingly due to Lieberman's wish to dispel any rumors surrounding the possibility that Eizenkot would not be offered an extension due to his outspoken views against convicted shooter Sgt. Elor Azaria.

Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman (Yisrael Beytenu) announced on Wednesday that he has decided to extend IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot's term by another year. This will bring Eizenkot's overall time as the head of the Israeli Army to four years.

 

 

Lieberman said that "Lt. Gen. Eizenkot is an admired chief of staff who has been leading the army with a great deal of success and professionalism." He added that "The productive cooperation with him allowed to continue promoting programs, prepare the IDF for the challenges that lie ahead of it and strengthen Israeli security."

 

Eisenkot (L) and Lieberman (Photo: Yair Sagi)
Eisenkot (L) and Lieberman (Photo: Yair Sagi)

 

Lieberman reportedly consulted on the matter with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The decision is due to come before the government in a week and a half.

 

The announcement reached Eizenkot on the eve of his admittance to Beilinson Hospital for a planned medical procedure. Until his expected recovery next week, his duties will be transferred his deputy Maj. Gen. Yair Golan.

 

Eisenkot (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
Eisenkot (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

 

Lieberman's announcement comes early—a month before Eizenkot's second year is up. The reason for this is assumed to be Lieberman's wish to dispel any rumors surrounding the possibility that Eizenkot would not be offered an extension, due to past statements in which Eisnenkot expressed his clear criticism against Sgt. Elor Azaria, who was recently convicted of manslaughter for killing neutralized terrorist Abed al Fatah al-Sharif in March. As Lieberman himself expressed his support of Azaria, he reportedly wanted to avoid any uncertainty concerning an extension by making the announcement early, thereby granting the army more stability and allowing Eizenkot to complete the long-term IDF plan to counter regional threats, which is codenamed "Gideon."

 

Eizenkot is the 21st IDF chief of staff. He enlisted in 1978 and served as an officer in the Golani Brigade during the First Lebanon War, eventually becoming the brigade's commander. He also served as the Efraim Brigade's commander and as military secretary under then-prime minister Ehud Barak during Israel's evacuation of South Lebanon in 2000. During the Second Lebanon War, he was promoted to the head of the Israeli Operations Directorate, and eventually moved up to the position of deputy IDF chief of staff, under then-chief of staff Benny Gantz.

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 01.18.17, 23:46
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