Netanyahu welcomes Kochavi nomination for IDF chief
PM praises the general as ‘most suitable candidate’ after reports that Liberman announced the choice without consulting with him
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday welcomed the nomination of Maj. Gen. Aviv Kochavi as the next chief of staff of the Israeli army, saying he was “the most suitable candidate for the chief of staff of the IDF.”
Netanyahu’s comments came following reports that Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman had announced Kochavi as his nominee without first consulting with the prime minister.
Senior officials told Hebrew-language media that Liberman’s decision to nominate Kochavi was made unilaterally, and was not coordinated with the prime minister or his staff.
Netanyahu had reportedly favored former IDF Southern Command chief Maj. Gen. Eyal Zamir to succeed Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot, whose term ends this year. Liberman disagreed, and was earlier said to have wanted former deputy chief of staff Maj. Gen. Nitzan Alon for the post.
On Friday, officials in the Prime Minister’s Office said Kochavi was nominated because he was “the most experienced candidate,” after Liberman backed down from his first choice, and Zamir was determined to have insufficient experience.
The IDF said in a statement that Eisenkot met with Kochavi on Friday to congratulate him on his nomination. Eisenkot praised his deputy as an “excellent commander” and said his extensive combat and operational experience had prepared him to serve as the IDF’s 22nd chief of staff.
Earlier, Liberman’s office said in a statement that Kochavi was “the most appropriate, distinguished and experienced” to serve as the next head of the Israeli military.
Kochavi, who has served as deputy chief of staff since 2017, was picked after “consultations with dozens of people” including former premiers, the statement said.
A graduate of Harvard University and Johns Hopkins University, Kochavi has served as head of the army’s northern command and as military intelligence chief during the 2014 war against Hamas in Gaza.
Kochavi was scheduled to appear before the Senior Appointments Advisory Committee, led by former judge and state comptroller Eliezer Goldberg, for approval on Sunday.
Once he receives the consent of the vetting committee — as he is expected to — Liberman will bring Kochavi’s candidacy for confirmation before the government. If approved, Kochavi will start on January 1, 2019.
The Times of Israel Community.