The Chief of the General Staff at the Intelligence Directorate's Research Department Conference

The Chief of the General Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir, participated yesterday (Wednesday) in the annual conference of the Intelligence Directorate’s Research Department, held under the theme of “Looking Ahead.” Additional attendants of the conference were the Head of the Intelligence Directorate, MG Shlomi Binder; the Commander of the Research Department, BG Ofir Mizrahi-Rozen; and the department’s commanders in both mandatory and reserve service.

From the remarks of the Chief of the General Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir:

“We have operated over the past two years across all arenas, and we are now in a vital transitional period and at a systemic turning point.

The mission has not yet ended; all arenas remain active, and many challenges still lie ahead in order to defend the State of Israel and its citizens. Our duty is to move forward toward growth, renewal, and hope.

The Research Department is a vital body for the State of Israel’s national security and for the IDF’s activity. On October 7th, the department failed and did not fulfill its responsibility. Since then, you have achieved significant accomplishments across all arenas, but the inquiries make clear that a continued process of learning and significant steps of correction are required. Change is necessary and has already begun under the leadership of the commanders in the directorate - changes addressing the intelligence ethos, the operational approach, the inter-rank discourse, and training.
Professionalism, critical thinking, and a diversity of opinion must be a central pillar among the Intelligence Directorate personnel. The commander is the expert on the enemy and is required to provide direction, to challenge, and to enhance. You, intelligence officers, carry the professional responsibility to challenge intelligence norms.

In the reality of a multi-front war, the Intelligence Directorate must continue to keep track of changes and provide sufficient warnings in accordance with its paramount mission. It is our responsibility to prevent incidents similar to October 7th in the future. We have conducted extensive inquiries, and we are engaged in embedding the lessons across all IDF bodies. This is a long, multi-layered process, with an emphasis on changing organizational ethos in the various units.

Your activity delivers many achievements for the security of the state, the protection of our citizens, and our ability to prevent and cut short emerging threats. Many challenges still lie ahead - I trust you”.

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