Herzi Halevi
{{Short description|Chief of General Staff of the Israeli Defense Forces (born 1967)}}
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{Infobox military person
| name = Herzi Halevi
| native_name = {{nobold|הרצל הלוי}}
| native_name_lang = he
| image = Herzi Halevi RAV ALUF.jpg
| caption = Halevi in 2023
| birth_name = Herzl Halevi
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1967|12|17|df=y}}
| death_date =
| birth_place = Jerusalem
| death_place =
| nickname =
| allegiance = {{Flagu|Israel}}
| branch = {{Armed forces|Israel}}
| serviceyears = 1985–2025
| unit = Paratroopers Brigade
| commands = {{Plainlist|
- Unit 269 – Sayeret Matkal
- 35th Paratroopers Brigade
- 91st Territorial Division
- Military Intelligence Directorate
- Southern Command
- Chief of the General Staff
}}
| battles = {{Tree list}}
- Arab–Israeli conflict
- Israeli–Lebanese conflict
- South Lebanon conflict
- 2006 Lebanon War
- Israeli invasion of Lebanon (2024–present)
- Israeli–Palestinian conflict
- First Intifada
- Second Intifada
- 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis
- Gaza–Israel conflict
- Gaza War (2008-2009)
- 2012 Gaza War
- 2014 Gaza War
- Gaza war
- Israeli invasion of Syria (2024–present)
- April 2024 Iranian strikes against Israel
{{Tree list/end}}
| rank = 38px Rav Aluf (Chief of Staff; highest rank)
| awards =
| relations =
| laterwork =
| spouse = Sharon
| children = 4
| alma_mater = {{Plainlist|
}}
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
Herzl "Herzi" Halevi ({{langx|he|הרצל "הרצי" הלוי}}; born 17 December 1967) is a retired Israeli general who served as the Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces from 16 January 2023 to 5 March 2025.{{Cite web |last=Fabian |first=Emanuel |title=Herzi Halevi becomes IDF's 23rd chief of staff in handover ceremony |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/herzi-halevi-becomes-idfs-23rd-chief-of-staff-in-handover-ceremony/ |access-date=2023-01-16 |work=The Times of Israel |date=16 January 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=16 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116075037/https://www.timesofisrael.com/herzi-halevi-becomes-idfs-23rd-chief-of-staff-in-handover-ceremony/ |url-status=live }}
He previously served as the commander of the Israeli Southern Command,{{cite news |author=Bachner, Michael |date=7 June 2018 |title=IDF taps military intel head as new chief of volatile Southern Command |work=The Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-taps-military-intel-head-as-new-chief-of-volatile-southern-command/ |access-date=7 June 2018 |archive-date=16 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116233312/https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-taps-military-intel-head-as-new-chief-of-volatile-southern-command/ |url-status=live }} the chief of the Military Intelligence Directorate, the commander of the 91st (Territorial) Division, the commander of the 35th Paratroopers Brigade, and the commander of the Sayeret Matkal. Halevi was the first practicing Orthodox Jew to serve as the head of Israeli military intelligence.{{cite news |last1=Goldberg |first1=J.J. |date=8 October 2014 |title=A Kippah on the Head of Israel's Intelligence Chief |work=The Forward |url=http://forward.com/opinion/israel/206918/a-kippah-on-the-head-of-israel-s-intelligence-ch/#ixzz3gk3OV6K0 |access-date=23 July 2015 |archive-date=4 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204061603/https://forward.com/opinion/israel/206918/a-kippah-on-the-head-of-israel-s-intelligence-ch/#ixzz3gk3OV6K0 |url-status=live }}
Early life and education
Herzl Halevi was born in Jerusalem. His father Shlomo was the son of Haim Shalom Halevi (Gordin), a member of the Irgun and the "Battalion for the Defence of the Language",{{Cite book |last=Tidhar |first=David |title=אנציקלופדיה לחלוצי הישוב ובוניו, כרך ח |year=1957 |pages=3160 |language=Hebrew}} and Tzila, the daughter of Rabbi {{Ill|Dov-Ber HaCohen Kook|lt=Dov-Ber HaCohen Kook|he|דב בער הכהן קוק}} and niece of Rabbi Abraham Isaac HaCohen Kook, the chief rabbi of Israel. He was named after his uncle who died in the battle for Jerusalem in the Six-Day War several months before his birth.{{cite news |last1=Rudoren |first1=Jodi |date=15 November 2013 |title=To a Philosopher-General in Israel, Peace Is the Time to Prepare for War |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/16/world/middleeast/to-a-philosopher-general-in-israel-peace-is-the-time-to-prepare-for-war.html |access-date=4 June 2019 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304154347/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/16/world/middleeast/to-a-philosopher-general-in-israel-peace-is-the-time-to-prepare-for-war.html |url-status=live }} Halevi's mother's family lived in Jerusalem for 14 generations, while his father's parents immigrated from Russia.
Halevi studied at Himmelfarb religious high school and was a member of the Tzofim religious scouts.
Military career
Halevi was drafted into the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in 1985. He volunteered as a paratrooper in the Paratroopers Brigade. He served as a soldier and squad leader.{{Cite news |title=הניו יורק טיימס מסמן את הרמטכ"ל הבא של ישראל |language=he |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/politics/2013-11-16/ty-article/.premium/0000017f-db38-d3ff-a7ff-fbb8b0ee0000 |access-date=2023-01-17 |archive-date=27 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727215825/https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/politics/2013-11-16/ty-article/.premium/0000017f-db38-d3ff-a7ff-fbb8b0ee0000 |url-status=live }} In 1987, he became an infantry officer after completing an officer candidate school and returned to the Paratroopers Brigade as a platoon leader. Halevi led the brigade's anti-tank company in counter-guerrilla operations during the South Lebanon conflict.{{Cite web |last=Finkel |first=Gal Perl |date=2018-06-18 |title=IDF promotes officers who think outside the box, but still follow the line |url=https://www.jpost.com/opinion/idf-promotes-officers-who-think-outside-the-box-but-still-follow-the-line-560286 |access-date=2023-10-15 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en-US |archive-date=30 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530104616/https://www.jpost.com/opinion/idf-promotes-officers-who-think-outside-the-box-but-still-follow-the-line-560286 |url-status=live }} In 1993, he was assigned to Sayeret Matkal, the IDF's special forces unit, where he served as a company commander. Halevi later commanded the unit during the Second Intifada.{{Cite web |last=Lev-Ram |first=Tal |date=4 September 2022 |title=נצר למשפחת קוק ו"מצביא מבצעים" בסיירת מטכ"ל: הרמטכ"ל הבא הרצי הלוי {{!}} פרופיל |url=https://www.maariv.co.il/news/military/Article-943484 |access-date=2023-01-17 |website=Maariv |archive-date=17 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117120056/https://www.maariv.co.il/news/military/Article-943484 |url-status=live }}
= Colonel=
On 11 September 2005, he was appointed commander of the Menashe Regional Brigade and on 22 August 2007, he was appointed commander of the Paratroopers Brigade and led it during 2008–2009 Gaza War and numerous other operations.{{Cite web |last=Finkel |first=Gal Perl |date=2017-03-07 |title=A new strategy against ISIS |url=https://www.jpost.com/opinion/a-new-strategy-against-isis-483521 |access-date=2023-10-15 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en-US |archive-date=9 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409120551/https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/A-new-strategy-against-ISIS-483521 |url-status=live }}
= Brigadier general=
In September 2009, Halevi was promoted to the rank of brigadier general (Tat-Aluf) and appointed commander of the Operational Division in the Military Intelligence Directorate and served in that position until 11 October 2011. On 6 November 2011, he was appointed as the commander of the 91st Division. In December 2012, the division won the "Chief of Staff's award for outstanding units" under his lead.{{Cite web |date=2016-03-04 |title=אתר צה"ל - צבא ההגנה לישראל |url=http://www.idf.il/1133-13738-he/Dover.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304100115/http://www.idf.il/1133-13738-he/Dover.aspx |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=2023-01-17 |website=Israel Defense Forces}} He finished his role there in November 2013 and in 2014 became the commander of the IDF Command and Staff College.
= Major general=
File:U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan Visit to Israel. January 19, 2023 29.jpg (3rd from r.) meet U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan (2nd from l.), in January 2023]]
In September 2014, he was promoted to the rank of Major General (Aluf) and appointed chief of the Israeli Military Intelligence Directorate and served in that capacity until March 2018. In this position, he increased IDF cooperation with the Mossad and the Shin Bet, including the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the IDF and the Shin Bet that ended a long-standing dispute between the organizations over the sharing of intelligence and the allocation of resources.{{cite web |last1=Limor |first1=Yoav |title=אתגר המפקד: כל מה שרציתם לדעת על הרצי הלוי, הרמטכ"ל ה־23 |url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/magazine/shishabat/article/13320802 |website=Israel HaYom |access-date=18 December 2023}} On 6 June 2018, Halevi became the commander of Israel's Southern Command, overseeing the IDF's activity around the Gaza Strip. Halevi commanded the IDF's Southern Command forces during the November 2019 Gaza–Israel clashes, when it fought against Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), following the targeted killing of senior PIJ commander, Baha Abu al-Ata, in Gaza.{{Cite news |last=Finkel |first=Gal Perl |date=2019-12-26 |title=IDF chief's promo for Israel's next major war |language=en |work=Ynetnews |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/Syuy4Xfy8 |access-date=2023-10-15 |archive-date=18 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518102058/https://www.ynetnews.com/article/Syuy4Xfy8 |url-status=live }}
= Lieutenant general=
On 11 July 2021, he was appointed the deputy chief of staff.{{Cite web |date=11 July 2021 |title=Maj. Gen. Herzi Halevi takes over as IDF's deputy chief of staff |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/maj-gen-herzi-halevi-takes-over-as-idfs-deputy-chief-of-staff/ |access-date=19 July 2021 |website=The Times of Israel |language=en-US |archive-date=19 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719195143/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/maj-gen-herzi-halevi-takes-over-as-idfs-deputy-chief-of-staff/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Shoval |first=Lilach |date=12 July 2021 |title='We will continue to build up the IDF's power,' Defense Minister Gantz says |url=https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/07/12/gantz-we-will-continue-to-build-the-idfs-power/ |access-date=23 July 2021 |website=Israel Hayom |archive-date=23 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723100955/https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/07/12/gantz-we-will-continue-to-build-the-idfs-power/ |url-status=live }} Halevi was nominated as the incoming chief of staff by the defense minister, Benny Gantz, on 4 September 2022.{{cite news |last=Fabian |first=Emanuel |date=4 September 2022 |title=Herzi Halevi, Kohavi's deputy, named as next IDF chief of staff |website=The Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/maj-gen-herzi-halevi-kohavis-deputy-named-as-new-military-chief/ |access-date=4 September 2022 |archive-date=4 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904113852/https://www.timesofisrael.com/maj-gen-herzi-halevi-kohavis-deputy-named-as-new-military-chief/ |url-status=live }} The 36th Israeli government confirmed his appointment as the next Chief of Staff on 23 October 2022. He became the 23rd Chief of Staff on 16 January 2023 replacing outgoing Chief from Aviv Kohavi. He commands the IDF during the current Gaza war.{{cite news |last=Perl Finkel|first=Gal |date=30 April 2024 |title=The IDF's unique advantage. The commanders are the secret to its strength: Lessons learned from 1982 to 2023 |url=https://www.idf.il/en/mini-sites/dado-center/research/the-idf-s-unique-advantage-the-commanders-are-the-secret-to-its-strength-lessons-learned-from-1982-to-2023-cpt-res-gal-perl|work=The Dado Center for Interdisciplinary Military Studies |access-date=1 October 2024}}
On 12 September 2024, The Times of Israel reported that Halevi was "making preparations" to step down as Chief of Staff in December 2024.{{cite news |date=12 September 2024 |title=IDF Chief Halevi said making preparations to step down in late-December |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-chief-halevi-said-making-preparations-to-step-down-in-late-december/|work=The Times of Israel |access-date=1 October 2024}} On 21 January 2025, he told Defense Minister Israel Katz that he intended to resign as Chief of Staff on 6 March and took responsibility for the IDF's failures during the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel.{{Cite web |last=Fabian |first=Emanuel |date=21 January 2025 |title=IDF chief Halevi announces he will resign on March 6, cites 'my responsibility for the failure of the IDF on October 7' |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-chief-halevi-announces-he-will-resign-on-march-6/ |access-date=21 January 2025 |website=The Times of Israel |language=en-US}} Halevi formally resigned on March 5 and was succeeded by Eyal Zamir.{{cite news |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/eyal-zamir-formally-replaces-herzi-halevi-as-idf-chief-in-handover-ceremony-at-kirya/ |title=Eyal Zamir formally replaces Herzi Halevi as IDF chief in handover ceremony at Kirya |newspaper=The Times of Israel |date=5 March 2025 |first=Emanuel |last=Fabian}}
Awards and decorations
Herzi Halevi was awarded three campaign ribbons for his service during three wars.
| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |
| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |
| 2006 Lebanon War |
Personal life
Halevi resides in Kfar HaOranim, an Israeli settlement in the West Bank.{{Cite web |date=17 January 2016 |title=מלחמות הגנרלים ממודיעין |url=https://www.mnews.co.il/%D7%97%D7%93%D7%A9%D7%95%D7%AA/%D7%91%D7%99%D7%98%D7%97%D7%95%D7%9F/%D7%9E%D7%9C%D7%97%D7%9E%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%94%D7%92%D7%A0%D7%A8%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%9E%D7%9E%D7%95%D7%93%D7%99%D7%A2%D7%99%D7%9F/ |access-date=27 July 2022 |website=מודיעין ניוז |language=he-IL |archive-date=27 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727215640/https://www.mnews.co.il/%D7%97%D7%93%D7%A9%D7%95%D7%AA/%D7%91%D7%99%D7%98%D7%97%D7%95%D7%9F/%d7%9e%d7%9c%d7%97%d7%9e%d7%95%d7%aa-%d7%94%d7%92%d7%a0%d7%a8%d7%9c%d7%99%d7%9d-%d7%9e%d7%9e%d7%95%d7%93%d7%99%d7%a2%d7%99%d7%9f/ |url-status=live }} He is married to Sharon and has four children. He grew up religious and still attends synagogue on the Sabbath. He holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy and business management{{Cite news |title=הניו יורק טיימס מסמן את הרמטכ"ל הבא של ישראל |language=he |work=הארץ |url=https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/politics/2013-11-16/ty-article/.premium/0000017f-db38-d3ff-a7ff-fbb8b0ee0000 |access-date=27 July 2022 |archive-date=27 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727215825/https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/politics/2013-11-16/ty-article/.premium/0000017f-db38-d3ff-a7ff-fbb8b0ee0000 |url-status=live }} from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a master's degree in international resource management from National Defense University in Washington, D.C., United States. His brother, Amir Halevi, is the former Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Tourism.https://itn.co.il/news/industry-corner/amir-halevi-ceo-of-the-ministry-of-tourism-is-retiring/ {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- Herzi Halevi, [https://www.idf.il/en/mini-sites/dado-center/vol-28-30-military-superiority-and-the-momentum-multi-year-plan/multi-domain-defense-maj-gen-herzi-halevi/ Multi-Domain Defense], The Dado Center for Interdisciplinary Military Studies, October 1, 2020
{{Chiefs of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces}}
{{Deputy Chiefs of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces}}
{{Heads of Aman}}
{{IsraelSouthernCommandChiefs}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Halevi, Herzi}}
Category:Military personnel from Jerusalem
Category:Directors of the Military Intelligence Directorate (Israel)
Category:Israeli Orthodox Jews
Category:Israeli people of Russian-Jewish descent
Category:Hebrew University of Jerusalem alumni