New Northern Command Commanding Officer

This evening (Sunday), MG Ori Gordin entered his position as the new Commanding Officer of the Northern Command. MG Gordin replaced MG Amir Baram who served in the position for the past three and a half years. 

In the years of his command, MG Baram commanded a multitude of campaigns, operations as part of the “Campaign between the wars” and dozens of discreet operations in Southern Syria. Under MG Baram, progress was made in establishing defensive infrastructure along the northern border, strengthening the reserve service array and preparing the IDF for escalation. 
Moreover, MG Baram initiated the benchmark test for regular and reserve battalions designed to test their preparedness for a campaign in Lebanon and conducted numerous long-term strategic processes. 

The ceremony to mark the change of command was held this evening in the Northern Command. The ceremony was led by the Chief of the General Staff, LTG Aviv Kohavi, and was attended by commanders, soldiers, families and additional guests.

Chief of the General Staff, LTG Aviv Kohavi:
“The challenges facing the IDF and the range of its activity are extraordinary. We are operating against terrorism every day. We do so as part of a calculated policy that was meant to achieve the strategic goals of the State of Israel. The Hezbollah terrorist army has taken Lebanon hostage, which has taken a toll on the country’s security and economic state. The UNSC Resolution 1701 is not being applied. Southern Lebanon as well as Beirut are filled with missiles, rockets, anti-tank posts and command and control centers. The operational activity in the Northern Arena is an example of operating a military force that shapes the arena and enables the State of Israel to achieve its goals. Lebanon and the Hezbollah terrorist army will bear the consequences if the civilians, sovereignty or the assets of the State of Israel are harmed. The IDF does not and will not stand aside and allow attempts to harm the State of Israel, in any arena. Any such attempt will be met with a severe response or a preemptive effort. Amir, you played a significant part in shaping the Northern Arena and preparing the IDF for war. The three and a half years in which you commanded the Northern Arena were complex and challenging, years in which you skillfully and professionally led the defensive effort and readiness. This activity included around-the-clock operations along the border lines, in both open and covert operations. You led a systematic campaign that had a central role in improving the security situation in the North and an overall campaign to improve the readiness of the command: operational plans, challenging exercises, preparing emergency storage facilities, and strengthening the infrastructure in the sector with an emphasis on the 'Northern Shield' program. You led programs to foster the competence of regular and reserve soldiers and commanders and set high standards for battalions and brigades. Ori, you understand the challenges of the north. You became acquainted with them along the journey of your service several times. You are entering this position during a complex period, in which the silence is more deceiving than ever, and the challenges are as always varied. Your experience in general, and your operational experience in particular, alongside your deep understanding, creativity, and leadership, will prove themselves, and you will use them to your advantage. I have no doubt you will succeed. You will discover excellent personnel and commanders who will be by your side, engaged in the mission and ready for any operation and action. I would like to take the opportunity to express my gratitude to you, the commanders of the Northern Command and its personnel, from the commander to the last of the soldiers. I have great trust in you, Ori- I wish you luck.”

Outgoing Commanding Officer of the Northern Command, MG Amir Baram:
“It was a great privilege and a tremendous commitment for me to command over this region of land on which I marched in my youth, - from leading soldiers through many nights of movement and fighting against the Hezbollah terrorist army and to the highest position in the Northern Command. Hezbollah in Syria failed to establish itself in the area south of Damascus, to carry out terrorist attacks and to open another front against us on the border of the Golan Heights. We acted in a persistent and multi-pronged manner through countless airstrikes, ground raids, countermeasures and dozens of small and precise victories, which collectively allowed us to prevent escalation on the northern front. From an operational point of view, we were engaged in preparing the forces on the ground for a campaign centered on Lebanon, and we improved the readiness and tactical capability in additional dimensions that are not only on the ground. If war is god forbid brought to us, we will act powerfully and deadly, at the front and in the depth. Gordin, my dear friend, I pass the baton of command into your trustworthy hands. You are taking command in a deceptive time that contains quite a few opportunities alongside complex challenges, you will be able to do everything, and I am sure you will succeed."

Incoming Commanding Officer of the Northern Command, MG Ori Gordin:
“The breathtaking view from Har Kena’an, the quiet and pastoral atmosphere in the Upper Galilee and the Golan can be deceiving and fail to reflect the instability and the bustling and rumbling earth, from the East and from the North to our borders with Syria and Lebanon. However, we will not be complacent and we will remain with two open eyes and with a clenched fist, prepared to act in the face of any attempt to threaten or create a reality that threatens the security of Israel’s residents. Amir, this is the second time you pass me the baton, and like the last time, I am receiving a strong, competent unit with a clear concept and method for building and operating the command. I would like to thank you first and foremost on behalf of the residents of the North for the security and defensive efforts that you led over the last years, and on behalf of the people of the Northern Command for a determined and well-directed leadership.”