The race for the Chief of Staff position has begun: these are the candidates to replace Halevi.
Among the contenders for the crown: the Director General of the Ministry of Defense, the Deputy Chief of Staff, and the Commander of the Northern Command. The next Chief of Staff is set to lead the plans for the military's buildup at costs of billions.
Director General of the Ministry of Defense
The leading candidate for the position is Major General (Res.) Eyal Zamir, who currently serves as the Director General of the Ministry of Defense. In his last uniformed position, Zamir served as the Deputy Chief of Staff. Zamir was also a candidate for the Chief of Staff position in the previous race and was Netanyahu's preferred candidate, but the then-Minister of Defense, Benny Gantz (National Unity), chose to appoint Halevi.
Zamir announced a few days ago that he intends to leave his position at the Ministry of Defense. It is estimated that Zamir did this in order to prepare for the race for the Chief of Staff position. Zamir has previously served as the Commander of the Southern Command, Commander of Division 36, Commander of Brigade 7, and Military Secretary to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Next in line for the position is the Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General Amir Baram, who announced his resignation from the role last month. Baram has previously served as the Commander of the Northern Command, Commander of the 98th Division, and Commander of the Paratroopers Brigade. Baram began his role as Deputy Chief of Staff before October 7th, and his being part of the General Staff during the war will likely lead to him being held accountable as well.
Another candidate is Major General Uri Gordin, the head of the Northern Command, who managed the campaign in the north against Hezbollah. Gordin has previously served as the commander of the Home Front Command, the head of the Ground Forces Command staff, the commander of the Fire Formation, the commander of the Nahal Brigade, 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.
Halevi's announcement reshuffles the cards, and following the resignation of the Southern Command chief, Yaron Finkelman, the next Chief of Staff is expected to appoint the next General Staff and manage the military's enhancement plans at a cost of billions, as decided by the Nagle Committee. The Chief of Staff can also bring back officers who resigned, such as Ofer Winter and Tamir Yadai.
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