Brig. Gen. A took over as head of the Operations Directorate, replacing Brig. Gen. Meni Liberty, who served in this role for the past two years and will continue to command Division 98.
The handover ceremony took place yesterday (Monday) at Camp Rabin, led by Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai, Head of Military Intelligence Maj. Gen. Shlomi Binder, and attended by members of the General Staff Forum, commanders, families, and other guests.
Head of Military Intelligence, Maj. Gen. Shlomi Binder, said: “The Operations Directorate is one of the cornerstones upon which all of Military Intelligence rests. It is the place where the IDF’s operational needs are translated into intelligence missions, responsible for consolidating all efforts, capabilities, and resources into focused and effective action.”
“Over the past two and a half years, the commanders and personnel of the Directorate have been required to contend with an unprecedented reality: a multi-arena war on seven fronts, ground maneuver on four of them, the return of hostages, special operations, two campaigns against Iran, operations in Yemen against the Houthis, and a vast array of additional operational and intelligence challenges.”
“About two years ago, Meni met the Operations Directorate during one of the most complex and turbulent periods that Military Intelligence and the Directorate have known. From the first moment, Meni’s leadership, his determination, and his extraordinary ability to rally people to a common mission were evident. Through hard work and uncompromising focus on the mission, Meni led the Directorate in the process of guidance and meeting Military Intelligence’s objectives while leading the need for the Directorate to change in light of the lessons of October 7th. Under his leadership, the Directorate became a leading and influential factor in dealing with the many challenges facing Military Intelligence and the IDF.”
“Dear A, we have known each other for many years, I have seen you command daring and dangerous operations. You are entering stormy waters, but I am absolutely certain that you are the right person in the right place and will excel in Military Intelligence as well. Your leadership, judgment, sharp thinking, professionalism, and belief in cooperation will all help you succeed in this complex role. Behind you is the Directorate, excellent people. And beside you is the senior command forum of Military Intelligence.”
The outgoing head of the Operations Directorate, Brig. Gen. Meni Liberty, spoke: “Upon entering my role, I pledged that I would do everything in my power to help the IDF strike anyone who harmed us and anyone who hatched devilish plots and wicked plans to harm us. I swore to do everything in my power to use force wisely, to operate it in accordance with the spirit of the IDF, the values of the state, and Jewish morality.”
“Along the way, there were ups and downs, successes and failures. I choose here to mention the thing that gives me the greatest pride. We worked together, all of us, as one body within Military Intelligence, between Military Intelligence and the Air Force and Navy, to the directorates and commands, and between Military Intelligence and our dear friends in the Shin Bet and the Mossad.”
“A, we have known each other for many years, you are the best of the best. I am happier than anyone that you are the one stepping onto the engine of the train, to lead, and to be a team member alongside the wonderful group that has come to honor us at this ceremony. I wish you all the success in the world and a little more. Thank you to the leading forum of Military Intelligence, for the privilege of serving alongside a group that is almost like family. A brave, cohesive, ego-free group that just wants things to be good. I am grateful for the privilege of being a team member.”
The incoming head of the Operations Directorate, Brig. Gen. A, addressed the gathering: “I am very excited and proud to be at this ceremony. Tonight, I have the honor of joining you, and an even greater responsibility to lead the operational Operations Directorate. I accept command of the Directorate with awe and a deep sense of mission. I commit to acting with determination, humility, and wisdom, and to invest my all to fulfill my responsibility to the best of my ability, to be worthy of the role, and to be worthy of you as a commander.”
“We are in a multi-arena, long, and challenging war, which has exacted very harsh and painful prices from us – two thousand and twenty-eight fallen, each one a world unto themselves, and thousands wounded in body and soul. A war that began with a conceptual, intelligence, and operational failure. On the morning of Simchat Torah, October 7th, the Intelligence Directorate failed in its most important mission, to warn of war, and thus did not fulfill its purpose as the first line of defense for the State of Israel.”
“It is our duty to remember the failure, to act with the knowledge that it can happen on our watch as well, and to continue the work of correction and lesson implementation. This is our hour’s command. I would like to thank you, Meni, my comrade-in-arms, my dear brother. I thank you personally and on behalf of all the soldiers and commanders of the Directorate for the two years in which you led it with distinction during this historic period in which we find ourselves.”
Full Speech of Head of Military Intelligence, Maj. Gen. Shlomi Binder
Full Speech of Outgoing Head of Operations, Brig. Gen. Meni Liberty