Ex-navy commando Daniel Hagari takes over as IDF spokesperson

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari takes over as military spokesperson, replacing Brig. Gen. Ran Kochav.

The switch takes place at the Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson’s Unit headquarters in north Tel Aviv, at a ceremony overseen by the head of IDF Operations, Maj. Gen. Oded Basiuk.

Kochav has served as the head of the IDF’s Spokesperson Unit for around two years.

In the ceremony, Kochav speaks about the importance of public trust in the IDF. “Without public trust, we cannot attain our goal,” he says.

Kochav’s future in the IDF is not immediately known.

Hagari, who is married and has four children, has served in the military since 1995, mostly in the Navy’s elite Shayetet 13 naval commando unit.

In his remarks, Hagari also emphasizes public trust. He says the spokesperson unit must have credibility for Israeli journalists and foreign press alike.