Eizenkot likely to be named IDF chief of staff this week

Sources close to Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon say promotion of Gadi Eizenkot to IDF chief of staff is near.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN
Deputy Chief of IDF Staff Maj. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot (photo credit: IDF SPOKESMAN'S OFFICE)
Deputy Chief of IDF Staff Maj. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot
(photo credit: IDF SPOKESMAN'S OFFICE)
Maj.-Gen. Gadi Eizenkot, deputy chief of the IDF’s General Staff, is expected to be named this week to be the next chief of staff, sources close to Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon said on Sunday.
The current chief of staff, Lt.- Gen. Benny Gantz, is due to step down in February.
Additionally, Maj.-Gen. Yair Golan, who stepped down as OC Northern Command this month, is set to be named deputy chief of staff.
In recent weeks, Ya’alon interviewed Eizenkot for the position of chief of staff, as well as the only other contender for the post, Maj.-Gen.
Yair Naveh.
Naveh has not had an active military role since January 2013, when he completed a three-year term as deputy chief of staff.
During his career, Eizenkot led the Golani Brigade, the Bashan Armored Division, the Judea and Samaria Division, the IDF’s Operations Branch and the Northern Command. In 1999, he became the military secretary of prime minister Ehud Barak.
Ya’alon has consulted with former chiefs of staffs and defense ministers during the election process, as well as the director-general of the Defense Ministry, Dan Harel.
Earlier this month, Attorney- General Yehuda Weinstein, following a request by Ya’alon, approved Eizenkot’s candidacy.
The IDF in late October announced a series of appointments of commanders who will take charge of infantry brigades.
According to the changes, which await the final approval of Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon, Col. Nimrod Aloni will become head of Paratroop Brigade and Col. Guy Hazot will become head of the Kfir infantry brigade.
Col. Yaron Finkelman will become the commander of the Givati infantry brigade, and Col. Amos Hacohen will become head of the Nahal infantry brigade.
Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.