Aharon Haliva, former head of Israel’s Military Intelligence Directorate (Aman), who resigned following the October 7 attacks, is now providing consulting services to defense companies. Ynet's sister publication Calcalist has learned that Haliva has held several meetings with Sami Katzav, the owner of the weapons manufacturer Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), and sources indicate that he has even participated in the company’s business meetings.
While IWI has not denied holding meetings with Haliva, company representatives claim that there is no formal employment agreement between the parties.
IWI, owned by Katzav’s SK Group, specializes in manufacturing small arms and firearms for military, police, and security forces. The company’s most well-known rifle is the Galil, used by Israeli soldiers. IWI also produces Tavor and Arad assault rifles, as well as the Uzi Pro submachine gun.
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Haliva served as the head of Military Intelligence during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack and was on vacation in Eilat when the massacre began. As the war unfolded, failures in intelligence assessments became apparent, particularly regarding Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad training activities and preparations for the attack.
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The burned out home of slain hostage Oded Lifshitz in Nir Oz
(Photo: Amir Levy/Getty Images)
In April 2024, Haliva resigned, stating in his farewell letter: "The Intelligence Directorate did not fulfill the mission entrusted to us. That dark day has haunted me ever since—day and night. I will forever carry the immense pain of this war."
IWI declined to comment on the matter, while Haliva stated that he does not discuss his private life.