On Tuesday, Israel welcomed the IDF’s new top officer as the torch was passed from Gadi Eisenkot to incoming Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Aviv Kochavi.
Eisenkot not only concluded his four-year tenure as chief of staff, he also retired from an illustrious 40-year career in the Israeli army.
On the day Kochavi stepped into the role, he prayed at the Western Wall, visited Mount Herzl, and was honored by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Upon his inauguration, Kochavi commented, “I pledge to dedicate all my resources to strengthening the defensive wall and adapting to the challenges of the present and the future, with a focus on preparing a lethal, efficient and innovative army, which preserves its mission and uniqueness.”