BG Naama Rosen-Grimberg is Named as the First Female Military Secretary to the President

COL Naama Rosen-Grimberg received the rank of Brigadier General and entered her new position as the Military Secretary to the President of the State of Israel, Mr. Isaac Herzog. She will become the first woman to serve in this position and will replace BG Alaa Abu Rukun, who is set to retire after 32 years of service in the IDF as a combat soldier and a commander.  

BG Rosen-Grimberg will become the third female member of the IDF General Staff Forum, joining the Chief Military Advocate General and the President of the Military Court of Appeals. This is the largest number of women on the General Staff Forum so far. Over the last two years, BG Rosen-Grimberg served as an Intelligence Officer in the Central Command and was the first woman to hold this position. During her service, BG Rosen-Grimberg managed various operations in the Central Command, the most significant of which were Operation “Guardian of the Walls” and Operation “Break the Wave.”

BG Rosen-Grimberg is replacing BG Alaa Abu Rukun, who served as the Military Secretary to the President of the State of Israel for the past three years. During his service, BG Rukun was tasked with advising and conveying military and security content to the President of the State of Israel, Mr. Isaac Herzog, as well as serving as a liason between the President and the IDF and the security establishment.

A ceremony to mark the event was held on Sunday at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, led by the President of the State of Israel, Mr. Isaac Herzog, and the Chief of the General Staff, LTG Aviv Kohavi. Also in attendance were the Commanding Officer of the Central Command, MG Yehuda Fuchs, and additional commanders, families and guests.

Simultaneously, BG Liron Donnell entered the position of the Chief of Staff of the Home Front Command. BG Donnel replaces BG Yair Barkat, who served in the position in reserves for the last few months. 

BG Donnell is the first woman to serve as Chief of Staff of the Homefront Command, joining four other female officers at the rank of Brigadier General. 

The ceremony to mark the event was held today, led by the Commanding Officer of the Homefront Command, MG Rafi Milo.

In the last few years, there has been an increase in the number of women serving in staff and combat positions in the IDF. The new positions held by BG Rosen-Grimberg and BG Donnell form a part of the percentage of women serving in a growing variety of positions, which leads to an improvement in the quality of IDF operations and activity.

Chief of the General Staff, LTG Aviv Kohavi: 
“Alaa, congratulations on concluding a long, demanding, quality, professional and valuable journey, which in your case not only involved great effort, but also a deep identification with the ideas of Zionism, education and profound love for this country. You are a living example of what an IDF officer should strive to be.”

“Naama- I have known you for many years, since you were a promising young officer. You made a promise and kept it. You are an extraordinary officer and I am confident that you will succeed in this position, just as you have in your previous positions."

“The position of the Military Secretary to the President of the State of Israel is one of significant influence. The Military Secretary guides and mirrors the progress made within the IDF and the defense system. In this sense, it is a position that holds great potential. Naama - take this potential and fill it to the brim. I wish you the best of luck, I am sure of your success."

Incoming Military Secretary of the President of the State of Israel, BG Naama Rosen-Grimberg:
“For the past twenty-two years I served and commanded over a variety of units in the Intelligence Directorate (J2), and was a partner in operative and strategic processes designed to ensure the security of the State of Israel and its civilians. It is a great privilege to serve and work alongside the President of the State of Israel - a man who made it his goal to unite Israeli society and works tirelessly for the future of the nation and the Jewish community.”

“In my position as Military Secretary of the President of the State of Israel, I will work to the fullest extent to faithfully represent the security activities to the President and aid in advancing both the national and security interests of the country in the State of Israel and the rest of the world, as well as the implementation of the president's policies in the security establishment. Moreover, I will continue to work with humanity and sensitivity to foster the relationship with bereaved families, wounded soldiers of the IDF and the security establishment, families of the captives and the missing, and victims of hostilities.”
Incoming Chief of Staff of the Home Front Command, BG Liron Donnell:
“I was privileged to be part of a unique and special command, a command with impact on both national and local, and every so often on the international, level. A command that constitutes the heart of the civilian front, with no other command matching its capabilities, strength and competence.”

“I am honored to stand here today and pledge to lead alongside the Commanding Officer of the Southern Command and together with you, the Home Front Command Commander, toward the challenges of the future."