Israeli defence minister picks country’s new military chief

Israeli defence minister picks country’s new military chief
Israel’s defence minister has selected Maj. Gen. Aviv Kochavi as the nominee for the country’s next chief of staff.
1 min read
26 October, 2018
Israel’s defence minister has selected Maj. Gen. Aviv Kochavi as the next IDF chief [Getty]
Israel’s defence minister has selected Maj. Gen. Aviv Kochavi as the nominee for the country’s next chief of staff.

His nomination requires approval from an appointments committee and by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s Cabinet.

If approved, Kochavi will start on Jan. 1.

Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman’s office said in a statement on Friday that Kochavi was “the most appropriate, distinguished and experienced” to serve as the next head of the Israeli military.

Current army chief Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot will step down from his post on Dec. 31, after a nearly four-year stint as Israel’s top officer.

Usually, Israel’s army chiefs serve up to four years.

The 54-year-old Kochavi previously served as commander of military intelligence, chief of northern command and most recently as Eisenkot’s deputy chief of staff.