Gallant taps Steinitz to serve as chairman of defense giant Rafael

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant appoints ex-Likud MK Yuval Steinitz as the chairman of the state-owned Rafael Advanced Defense Systems arms firm, his office says.

Steinitz will be replacing the current chair, Uzi Landau, who has served in the position since 2017.

His appointment still requires the approval of the Government Companies Authority.

Steinitz, 64, served as a minister and Knesset member for 23 years, including 12 in the high-level security cabinet.

As well as serving as finance, energy, strategic affairs, intelligence, and international relations minister in periods between 2009 to 2021, Steinitz chaired the Knesset’s powerful Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee from 2003 to 2006.