BG Zion Ratzon is the New 210 Division Commanding Officer

BG Zion Ratzon entered his new position as the Commanding Officer of the 210th Division. BG Ratzon will replace BG Roman Gofman who served in the position for the past two years and will assume the position of the Commander of the Ground Forces Training Center (“Mali”) in the coming months.

The ceremony to mark the change of command was held today (Monday) at camp “Yitzhak”. The ceremony was led by the Commanding Officer of the Northern Command, MG Ori Gordin, and included the participation of commanders, soldiers, families and additional invitees.

Commanding Officer of the Northern Command, MG Ori Gordin:
“We are in a state of constant friction of varying intensities, with an enemy that does not plan on giving up. We are not underestimating the enemy. However, if we reach a state of war, we will win - an overwhelming, definite victory. We received a reminder of that victory this morning, as a terrorist cell crossed the Alpha line and threw mines and explosives over the fence. It was only due to the vigilance of the Field Intelligence forces and correct actions and striving for contact of the battalion in the area that prevented a more severe incident.”

“Roman, the Division, led by you, operated in multi-branch and inter-organizational cooperation to abide by the order to prevent Southern Syria from turning into Southern Lebanon. You operated and succeeded at preventing the establishment of the threat through dozens of operations carried out in coordination with all IDF units. You worked day and night, carrying out precise, excellent operations and you managed to achieve your ambitious goal. I am full of appreciation and gratitude for your contribution, on behalf of the entire Northern Command, its soldiers, commanders and residents.”

Outgoing Commanding Officer of the 210th Division, BG Roman Gofman:
“The enemies of the State of Israel, led by the Iranian Regime and the Hezbollah terrorist army, strive to establish a military front and a civilian presence in Southern Syria. The expansion and strengthening of the Shia community in the south of Damascus, in Swaida and in certain villages across the border, along with the recruitment of the locals to terrorism in Quneitra and Hadar, threaten to make the area across the border a hostage of the Iranian regime.” 

“Dear friends, soldiers of the 210th Division, your continuous activity, your minor victories, similar to the one achieved this morning, that took place South of the Golan Heights, push Iran and the Hezbollah terrorists army out of Southern Syria. They establish conditions for the continued prosperity of the Golan Heights as well as for the beginning of the restoration of the Hauran region. These dozens of operations, some of them in Syrian territory, at tactical levels, created a foundation for learning, renewing and strengthening the fighting spirit and readiness for war.”

Incoming Commanding Officer of the 210th Division, BG Zion Ratzon:
“Today, I take it upon myself the privilege to command over and lead the 210th Division. I pledge to do everything within my power and dedicate all my energy to maintain the security of the area of the Golan Heights and the Hermon. Soldiers and Commanders, Despite the calming landscape and deceptive silence, the reality in this arena presents us with many challenges. Therefore, through cooperation with our partners within and outside of the IDF, we will closely monitor what is happening on the other side, we will train for war as if it could begin tomorrow and we will strive to engage and win every encounter with the enemy."