Katz appoints outgoing IDF deputy chief as Defense Ministry’s next director-general

Defense Minister Israel Katz has appointed outgoing IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Amir Baram as the next director general of the Defense Ministry.

Baram will enter the role in the coming weeks, upon concluding his tenure as deputy chief of staff at the end of this month, Katz’s office says.

His appointment still needs to be approved by the cabinet.

He will be replacing acting Defense Ministry Director-General Itamar Graf, who took up the position just weeks ago because the former director, Maj. Gen. (res.) Eyal Zamir, was tapped as the next IDF chief of staff.

Baram, Zamir, and a third general, Tamir Yadai, were all considered by Katz as potential successors to outgoing IDF chief Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi. Zamir was chosen, and Yadai was selected as his deputy, leaving Baram without a role.

“Amir Baram is experienced in managing large defense systems, while effectively interfacing with the relevant civilian systems,” Katz’s office says.

Baram began his service in the Paratroopers Brigade. He rose through the ranks and went on to command the brigade in 2011, and the 98th Division — an elite formation of paratroopers and commando units — in 2013. Between 2019 and 2022, Baram served as head of the IDF Northern Command, before being appointed as deputy chief of staff under former chief of staff Lt. Gen. (res.) Aviv Kohavi and later Halevi. Last month, Baram asked to end his role at the end of February as initially scheduled.