"Honored guests, bereaved families, members of the General Staff Forum, the Yanko family, the Abudraham family, commanders, soldiers of the  Technology and Logistics Directorate, Michel and Rami, we have gathered here this evening in order to transfer the duty of command of the Technology and Logistics Directorate from MG Michel Yanko to MG Rami Abudraham.

According to tradition - “Diligent hands will rule,” so wrote King Solomon in the Book of Proverbs. To a large extent, your military career, Michel, gathers within it these two principles: the diligent, precise, and thorough hands, alongside personal example and leadership. You commanded with a ‘steady hand’ and with a steadfast and professional spirit, both as part of the General Staff Forum and as the head of the General Staff directorate, the Technology and Logistics Directorate.

In the current operation, the diligent hands of the personnel of the Technology and Logistics Directorate were a integral support system for our troops deep in enemy territory, and helped the IDF as a whole reach many achievements. Thanks to them, the entire military system operates like a well-oiled and well-trained machine: the weapons and resources in our hands become a strategic asset, the knowledge is translated into breakthrough technology, and the care for troops merges into unprecedented national and military strength.

Throughout the war, the personnel of the directorate were those who supplied food, ammunition, munitions support, medical care, and essential means to every terrain and to every arena, producing something from nothing and bringing creative solutions to a variety of challenges that come from the frontlines. I told you this, Michel, and to all the personnel of the directorate after Operation Rising Lion, and it is true also today, in every place I arrive, commanders catch me and say “the Technology and Logistics Directorate is with us at all times, thanks to them we lack nothing.” This testifies not only to the importance of the directorate, but also to the exceptional appreciation that it receives, consistently, and at all levels.

I wish to emphasize, technology is a capability multiplier on the battlefield and significantly improves the performance ability of our troops. However, it is not a substitute for the need for reserves and mass of troops. In light of the complex threats that State of Israel faces, professional human capital is required alongside quality weaponry, advanced technology, and a strong supportive logistical framework that ensures continuous operational capabilities.

Honored guests, we are in a decisive period. The IDF’s presence is felt strongly both deep in enemy territory and on the front lines, across the Middle East, in near and distant arenas: in recent days we continued to strike Hamas terrorists, senior figures and operatives, we targeted Houthi infrastructure and leaders in Yemen, and alongside this, we continued to precisely strike Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, to thwart terror in Judea and Samaria, to strengthen defense on the Syrian border, and to maintain multi-front readiness against a variety of threats. These successes add to achievements in Operation Gideon’s Chariots - the achievements are significant.

The war will not end until the mission is complete: the return of all our hostages and the defeat of Hamas. We will continue to initiate, maintain the element of surprise, and to strike every target, until the security of Israel’s civilians is ensured.

Michel, you commanded the directorate with excellence throughout the course of the war, on many fronts and challenges. You well understood that success in the battlefield does not depend solely on the firepower, but also on the ability to bring it to expression in the field, to uphold the weapon systems and to integrate them in real time into the battlefield. Under your command you led a true revolution in the directorate: you brought about a significant improvement in the quality of the equipment and combat ability; you developed advanced logistical capabilities and integrated them into war, you strengthened the capabilities of the medical services to save the lives of troops in battle, and you strengthened the readiness of the IDF. In every place you were, the buds of change were visible, new initiatives, constant striving for excellence, and setting a high professional standard, from groundbreaking technological developments to the care for the troops in the field. The challenges you faced and your style of command are your legacy.

You were the right person and commander at the right time. A test of time brought you to the position at a time of test for our nation, you made decisions with courage and professionalism, led your subordinates by personal example and commanded as a leader, and influenced the shaping of the operation as a member of the General Staff. I wish to express deep appreciation to your family as well - your mother, Simone, of blessed memory, who is not with us here today, your father, Panel, who today stands by your side at another milestone as a Holocaust survivor - and as you testified in the past, as a champion. Alona and the children, you deserve immense appreciation. You were a true support for Michel, the home that strengthened him. You were, and remain, full partners in his path and success.

Rami, as a commander who began his career in the Artillery Corps, you know well how much our successes on the battlefield lean on the personnel of logistics, technology, munitions, and medical units, who operate both on the frontlines and behind the scenes. You assume into your hands a great responsibility, responsibility for the readiness of the IDF, for preparedness for war, and for the quality of care for its troops. I am sure that there is none more suitable than you for the position.

Throughout your path you successfully combined your experience as a troop with a wide organizational vision, and you connected in the most prolific way between the technology personnel and the troops in the field. I have no doubt that the experience and skills you acquired over the years will serve you well in your role as head of the Technology and Logistics Directorate, and you will continue to lead the IDF to impressive achievements.

From here I turn to your beloved family, to your wife Liron and to the children who are here with us today, your standing by Rami’s side, the support, the partnership, and the love you gave him, deserve appreciation and enable him to focus on his national missions.

In Yehuda Amichai’s poem Miracles he writes: “From afar every thing looks like a miracle, but up close even a miracle does not look like that.” The combination of breakthrough technology with the army’s infrastructure and the achievements in the field may look from afar like a miracle, but those who deepen their understanding with the work of the directorate will learn, miracles do not come out of nowhere, they are created through labor, persistence, and professionalism, the work of the men and women of the directorate.

Honored guests, alongside our successes, the current war has taken from us a heavy and unbearable price. We will continue to embrace all the bereaved families, we will continue to accompany the wounded, in body and soul, and to do everything required and possible in order to be worthy of the price that the bereaved families and the wounded of the IDF paid. Their pain is the pain of the entire nation. The Technology and Logistics Directorate sacrificed as well. A painful testimony to this is that its commanders and troops are an inseparable part of the IDF’s combat array. They operate on the frontlines under fire and at great risk in order to enable the ability to stand in the mission. The State of Israel and the IDF are committed to continue accompanying them day by day, hour by hour. This is our duty and our responsibility, this is the spirit of the IDF.

Many challenges still stand before us, we will not stop until we bring back our brothers the hostages, defeat and collapse the Hamas regime, and secure the security of our state.

Michel, I thank you for many years of activity in the IDF and wish you great success in the future.

Rami, I trust you and wish you great success in your new position. Go up and succeed."

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