Play by Play–Everything that Happened in the Exchange of the 23rd Chief of the General Staff

Play by Play–Everything That Happened During the Exchange of the 23rd Chief of the General Staff

The exchange of command of the Chief of the General Staff was full of significant moments. Here you can receive updates, watch videos and follow the days events closely.

8:45 - Outgoing Chief of the General Staff, LTG Aviv Kohavi, departed his home for the rank awarding and appointment ceremony of the incoming Chief of the General Staff, Herzi Halevi.

9:42 - The incoming Chief of the General Staff, MG Herzi Halevi, departed his home for his rank awarding and appointment ceremony.

"It was a good journey in a great army, and serving our country is excellent and crucial. I salute you, my soldiers, and embrace you,” concluded LTG Aviv Kohavi, in his speech. “You will forever remain my soldiers and from this moment forward I am your soldier.”

"Today, I accept upon myself commandership over the IDF, the defender of the State of Israel and its civilians,” stated LTG Herzi Halevi, during his speech. “When I enlisted, like every young man standing at the gates of the ‘Bakum’, I wasn’t planning on having such a lengthy journey. Looking back, every position I assumed in the 37 years of my service was a contribution to this moment, in which I accept upon myself the privilege to command over the IDF.”

The moment of the rank award:

The full broadcast from the rank awarding ceremony led by Israel’s Prime Minister:

10:00 - The 23rd Chief of the General Staff’s appointment ceremony, led by Israel’s Prime Minister and Minister of Defense.

The 22nd and 23rd Chiefs of the General Staff saluted and lit the candles on the memorial wall in memory of their friends, commanders and soldiers who fell while fulfilling their duty in fighting for the defense of the country and its civilians.

LTG Herzi Halevi stood adjacent to the memorial stone of his uncle, Herzl “Herzi” Halevi, who died during the Six Day War. 

The visit included the participation of the Head of the Manpower Directorate (J1), MG Yaniv Asor, the Director of the National Memorial Hall for Fallen Soldiers, COL (res.) Yair Ben Shalom, the Deputy Director and Head of the Department of Families and Commemoration in Israel’s Ministry of Defense, Mr. Aryeh Moalem, faculty members of the National Memorial Hall for Fallen Soldiers and additional invitees. 

During the visit, LTG Kohavi laid a wreath in memory of the fallen soldiers alongside two soldiers from bereaved families. Afterward, LTG Halevi lit a memorial torch alongside a soldier from a bereaved family in memory of the IDF’s fallen soldiers who died in defense of the State of Israel.

11:30 - The 22nd Chief of the General Staff, LTG Aviv Kohavi, and the 23rd Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi, visit the National Memorial Hall for Israel’s Fallen Soldiers at Mount Herzl.

The visit included the participation of the Chief Military Rabbi, BG Eyal Karim, the Rabbi of the Western Wall and the holy sites of Israel, Mr. Shmuel Rabinovitch and the Director of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, Mr. Mordechai (Suli) Eliav.

Link to the full broadcast of their visit to the Western Wall

12:10 - The 22nd and 23rd Chiefs of the General Staff visit the Western Wall.

The honor guard included Israel’s Minister of Defense, Mr. Yoav Gallant, the members of the General Staff, commanders, honorary guests and additional invitees.

14:45 - Honor guard for the 23rd Chief of the General Staff at the Matcal Tower Square at Camp Rabin (Hakiryah).

15:15 - A farewell toast for outgoing Chief of the General Staff LTG Aviv Kohavi which was led by Israel's Minister of Defense, Mr. Yoav Gallant, at the Chief of the General Staff conference room in Camp Rabin (Hakiryah). The toast was followed by an honor guard.