Words of the Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir:
President of the State, Mr. Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, Minister of Defense, Mr. Israel Katz, my colleagues in the General Staff Forum, Commander of the Ground Forces, Maj. Gen. Nadav Lotan, dear cadets, commanders, dear families,
Since its establishment, the security of the State of Israel has relied on the IDF’s capability, and in the IDF, victory is built first and foremost on the capabilities, leadership, character, and professionalism of the commanders, and to our pride, also the female commanders.
More than two years have passed since the October 7th failure, we have changed! – The IDF is defending, attacking with force, and neutralizing threats in all sectors. The multi-arena warfare is led by IDF commanders at the head of the forces. Our eyes are open in all directions, and the finger on the trigger is more poised than ever in the face of any change in the operational reality. Whoever seeks to test our resolve will encounter a force that will exact an immediate and heavy price from them.
Dear cadets, from this moment, as you are awarded your ranks, a heavy and fateful responsibility is placed upon you – you are becoming a new and vital link in the chain of generations responsible for ensuring the security of the people of Israel. From here, you move forward, and when you look back, columns of fighters will follow you, placing their full trust in you for every mission you are assigned.
During your training, you went through fire, you experienced the hardship of combat in the Gaza Strip. Unfortunately, in this course, you also lost friends: Major Amri-Hai, Captain Eran, Lieutenant Ron, and Lieutenant Eitan Avner. Just yesterday, we felt the pain of loss again with the fall of Sergeant Major Ofri Yaffe, a fighter in the Paratroopers Brigade, in Khan Yunis. Bereavement is a gaping and throbbing wound in the entire IDF. Every step you take, remember the heroism of your friends, and the heroism of all the fallen soldiers who fell in battle for the Rock of Israel – carry their memory with you. We will continue to accompany his family and all bereaved families. We will continue to march alongside all IDF wounded, who are coping with the physical and mental pain left by the war.
On the parade ground today stands a human mosaic of the people of Israel, a mosaic of stunning beauty, male and female fighters from the city and the kibbutz, secular and religious alongside the ultra-Orthodox, with different opinions and beliefs. The IDF is the bridge where we all unite and rise above all disputes for the sake of the great common goal. This is the place where everyone gives, receives, and also compromises out of a shared belief in the great mission and the understanding that our fate depends on our cohesion – only then can we defeat those who seek our lives. Strife and discord at the expense of the IDF will lead us to disaster.
In these days, the IDF is implementing the new multi-year plan designed for the next five years under the name ‘Choshen’. In this spirit, the ‘Choshen’ multi-year plan strives for full cohesion among all IDF branches and its personnel components – conscripts, career soldiers, and reservists working together as one body for a common purpose. We need everyone, from all corners of the country. We cannot afford to forgo any part of the nation.
This is an opportunity to express my deep appreciation to you, Lt. Col. Y’, Commander of the Gefen Battalion, who is concluding his service after leading the battalion with determination and strength through a fateful and challenging period. I have no doubt that your mark and experience will continue to be a strategic and valuable asset in all future command roles you undertake.
Dear cadets, look at this landscape of Mitzpe Ramon, at the amazing families who brought you this far, at your commanders who refined and guided you, and go forth from here to command your soldiers! In the time when the Temple stood, the Choshen – after which our multi-year plan is named – was the heart of the national decision-making system.
When King David returned to his city, Ziklag, and discovered it had been burned and that his families had been captured by the Amalekites, at that fateful moment, he turned to Abiathar the Priest and asked: “Pray bring me the Ephod.” From the Choshen, through the Urim and Thummim, the agonizing doubt was resolved. To David’s question, “Shall I pursue this troop?”, a decisive answer was received that became an eternal battle cry for every commander and fighter: “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and rescue them.”
Be officers of action, not of words. Be ethical, be professional, and be worthy of the trust this nation places in you. I have full confidence in your ability to be the commanders who will lead our fighters in future battlefields. With faith, perseverance, and determination of spirit, we move forward. Am Yisrael Chai.
You shall surely overtake them, and rescue them!
Go and succeed!
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