Letter From the 23rd Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi

Soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces, commanders in active and reserve duty and IDF civilian employees;

As the 75th year of independence begins, I take upon myself the command over the IDF which defends the State of Israel and its civilians. It does so during routine operations and in days of campaigns and wars with the goal of ensuring Israel’s strength and the security of its civilians while preventing all potential threats.

The IDF will continue to defend in all places and prepare for encounters with every enemy. From Iran to the Blue Line, from Judea and Samaria to Gaza and to the southern and eastern borders, on the ground, in the air, at sea and in the cyber sphere. We will operate in all arenas with determination, responsibility and unison. The IDF is a mission-based military of quality that operates based on information and knowledge which connects to advanced striking and maneuvering capabilities as it acts with initiative and takes calculated risks at all levels.

Times of war are the times when the IDF is tested, and the results are determined by three factors: the information we gather on the enemy, the capabilities and means in our hands and their operation, and above all—the quality of our servicemembers. Every day, our hearts are with the bereaved families and with the physically and mentally wounded people and their families. We will embrace them and offer a hand, and continue to act toward the return of the IDF soldiers who are missing or held captive. Their character is a continuous reminder of our duty to strive to fulfill these missions and learn from every initiative and risk. I received command over the IDF from my colleague and friend, LTG Aviv Kohavi. In the name of all IDF soldiers, I salute and thank him for forty years of service. Together we will preserve, strengthen and develop what he built in his time in the position, and in the spirit of continuous learning, we will adapt and change. 

IDF soldiers and commanders, the IDF, the ‘people’s army’, was and still is a reflection of Israeli society. The source of its strength is in the social diversity and solidarity of its soldiers. We will strengthen our ranks with broad and quality enlistment and by qualifying the best of Israeli youth enlisting from all across Israeli society.

We will strengthen the ranks of reserve duty which is a significant aspect of the IDF and the State of Israel. It is our shared duty to make sure that the IDF remains united, precise and professional, and clear of any consideration that is not related to defense. Future commanders will emerge from the ranks of those serving today. We will ensure that the best and most suitable soldiers will remain with us and operate every task with a sense of mission and responsibility and in professional measures, according to the spirit of the IDF and its values.   

I take upon myself the command over the IDF, knowing that I have people I can share this grand mission with, headed by you—IDF soldiers and commanders, from the soldiers through my colleagues in the General Staff. A great responsibility is now placed on our soldiers. We will identify it and operate together accordingly out of our shared belief, we will learn and improve from every activity, and go forward each day. 

Soldiers and commanders, I will meet you during our joint activity—remember to operate with heavy responsibility, deep professionalism and endless willingness—this is our mission, its results are fateful and its profit is to maintain the existence of the State of Israel with security and prosperity.

LTG Herzi Halevi, Chief of the General Staff                                                              

      Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi                                                                   Tevet   5783

Chief of the General Staff                                                                      January 2023