Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who must decide on a replacement for IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-General Gadi Eizenkott, surprised everyone during an interview with Yediot Achronot, announcing “I have already decided who will become the next chief of staff, but the candidate does not know”.

Lieberman said in an interview: “One of my responsibilities is to ensure trust with the military leadership, and here I found Chief of Staff Eizenkott to be a real partner.”

The four candidates to replace the chief of staff who will finish his term at the end of the year are Deputy Chief of Staff Major-General Aviv Kochavi, his predecessor, Major-General Yair Golan. The other two are Major-General Nitzan Alon and Major-General Eyal Zamir.

Lieberman added that the decision was made following deep thought and consultation with all the relevant bodies, and that the decision was made both for the chief of staff and for his deputy. In his words, “All of the candidates have their pluses and minuses. I was looking for someone to speak to me in terms of decisiveness and victory. In discussions with military personnel, I hear too many expressions such as ‘political arena’ and ‘legal implications’. The most important value to me is victory, not explanations”.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)