Israel Katz: "I will start interviewing candidates for the Chief of Staff position as soon as possible"

After the retirement of Chief of Staff Herzl Halevi, Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that he would begin interviewing candidates for the next Chief of Staff of the IDF in the coming days: "I will choose the best candidate for the task."

Katz stated: "It is of utmost importance to choose the most suitable candidate to lead the IDF during this challenging period, and I intend to conduct an orderly and swift process to select the next Chief of Staff. The IDF is the army of the people, and it bears the supreme responsibility for preserving the lives of the soldiers and protecting the State of Israel, and I will choose the best candidate for the task."

The leading candidate for the position is Major General (Res.) Eyal Zamir, who currently serves as the Director General of the Ministry of Defense. Zamir has served as the Deputy Chief of Staff and the Commander of the Northern Command. Last month, Zamir announced his departure from his role at the Ministry of Defense, presumably to run for the Chief of Staff position.

The race also includes the Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General Amir Baram, who previously served as the Commander of the Northern Command and the Commander of the 98th Division. Baram also announced last month his resignation from his position as Deputy Chief of Staff.

Additionally, the Commander of the Northern Command, Uri Gordin, who managed the campaign in the north against Hezbollah. Gordin has previously served as the Commander of the Home Front Command, the Commander of the Fire Formation, and the Commander of the Sayeret Matkal. Gordin's image after the war is offensive, but he is also a candidate for the position of Deputy Chief of Staff.

Whoever is to replace Herzi Halevi has a big role to fill at a time where the Chief of Staff needs to demonstrate great responsibility to the nation, and its people.