Gantz given fourth year in IDF top post

Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon names Yair Naveh, expected to compete for top spot, head of Military Industries

Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon tacked a fourth year onto IDF head Benny Gantz’s term Monday night, ensuring the army’s top spot won’t turn over until 2015.

Ya’alon also appointed one of the expected top contenders for the job, former deputy chief of staff Yair Naveh, as head of Israel Military Industries (IMI).

Ya’alon noted that appointment is for a year and a half, a fact which would allow Naveh to contend for the chief of staff job when it opens up.

Naveh is expected to battle current deputy chief of staff Gadi Eizenkott for the position. Eizenkott was one of the top contenders for the role in 2010, but lost out to Gantz.

The semi-state owned IMI is one of Israel’s top arms manufacturers.