Netanyahu says goodbye to Locker

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu thanked outgoing military secretary Maj.-Gen. Yohanan Locker for his service to the country at Sunday’s weekly cabinet meeting.“I asked Yohanan to be my military secretary after I was impressed by him during my visits to the air force, where he was an outstanding fighter and commander,” Netanyahu said.“I would like to thank him for his service to the state in the air force and afterwards as an outstanding military secretary,” he said.“Yohanan was such an important part of spheres that were critical to our national security, to security in general and to the issue of infiltration. If there is someone who assisted me more than anyone else in building the ground barrier, in erecting the fence, it was Yohanan.“He assisted me immensely with the release of Gilad Schalit and, of course, in many other areas, most of which I cannot detail here.“I am certain that you will continue to contribute in various ways to the people and State of Israel for years to come,” Netanyahu said.He has yet to find a replacement for Locker, who has filled the position since 2010. Col. Gilad Eisen will hold the spot temporarily.