Gantz extends IDF chief Kohavi’s tenure for a 4th year

Defense Minister Benny Gantz announces he will extend IDF Chief of Staff Avi Kohavi’s term for a fourth year, keeping him as the military’s top commander until 2023.

Hailing Kohavi’s nearly 2.5 year tenure, Gantz says keeping the IDF chief another year will allow him to continue his multi-year “Momentum Plan.” He also lauds Kohavi’s leadership of the military during the recent fighting against Palestinian terrorists and Gaza and other “operational activities” elsewhere of late.

“Extending his tenure at this time of regional changes and challenges from a variety of arenas is critical to Israel’s security,” Gantz says in a statement from his office.

The statement says Gantz updated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit ahead of the announcement.