Brigadier General Ran Kochav takes over as IDF Spokesperson

 
Brig. Gen. Ran Kochav ("Ranko") has entered his position as IDF Spokesperson. The change of command ceremony was held yesterday (Sunday) at Camp Aviv, in the presence of the Head of the Operations Directorate, Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva; the commanders of the Spokesperson unit; family members and other guests. Brig. Gen. Ran Kochav ("Ranko") succeeds Brig. Gen. Hidai Zilberman, who served in the position for nearly a year and nine months, and was recently appointed to Defense Attache in Washington. Brig. Gen. Zilberman will be promoted to the rank of Major General.

Head of the Operations Directorate, Maj. Gen. Haliva, at the ceremony:
“The world has undergone a media revolution. The media, and with it the role of a spokesperson, has changed beyond recognition. What has not changed? The need for accurate, matter-of-fact and reliable information, which will reflect the military’s actions as they are. This is not a matter of public relations, this is our way of maintaining the high level of trust that has been tested time and time again - between the IDF and the Israeli public. It defines our connection to the people and the core role of the IDF - a people's army.

Hidai, for the past two years, as the IDF Spokesperson you have been at the forefront of IDF public affairs; you have been the "Guardian of the Walls”. Professional, accurate, and sharp. Both a purveyor of truth, and a man of truth.

Ranko, I have no doubt that you will bring to the job your many years of operational experience and also your acquaintance with the media environment. The combination of the two is a recipe for success."

The IDF Spokesman, Brig. Gen. Kochav:
“The last two years, during which I have been surrounded by public speaking in its various shades of black and white, have proved to me the power of a word and the meaning of narrative. For this is the secret of the power of this role; the ability to connect people, stories and experiences, victories and failures, and turn them into an IDF story - a story of us all. IDF Spokespeople, may it be to all of you - a sense of mission, a sense of right, the ability to work as a team, work together, and with one clear goal: to do everything for the IDF. You who see the full picture, who issue and shape the frame, the spokesperson frame for our story. I am proud of our achievement in Operation “Guardian of the Walls” - but no less proud of our success in being guardians of the narrative."