Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir:
“My colleagues in the General Staff Forum, dear commanders and soldiers, families, and most importantly – you, the outstanding individuals. In the weekly Torah portion ‘Shoftim’, which we read this Shabbat, appears the biblical figure of Nachshon ben Aminadav. The Midrash tells that when the people stood before the Red Sea and the Egyptians were closing in from behind, the old leadership convened for counsel, and no one dared to jump in. Then Nachshon jumped into the water, and in a moment’s act – became a leader.”
“Nachshon’s name embodies determination and strength, but another possibility can be pointed to – perhaps the name also hints at ‘guessing’ – the ability to act in an uncertain, ambiguous reality, to assess the right course of action, and to make a brave decision at the critical moment. When I look at you, the chosen outstanding individuals of the IDF, I see the ‘Nachshons’ of our time. As I delved into the background of your reaching this esteemed position tonight, I deeply understood the leadership that characterized each and every one of you and made you outstanding.”
“For over two and a half years, we have been fighting a difficult and ongoing war, a multi-arena war where reality is often uncertain, and the fog is thick. In these moments, at these junctures, it is not always possible to give explicit orders or wait for optimal conditions. You have shown determination, taken responsibility, led first into stormy waters, and swept your subordinates along with you. In your actions, you turned uncertainty into victory, and fear into courage.”
“This war began on the most difficult and painful day the State of Israel has ever known. The failure of October 7th accompanies us every day and compels us to conduct an honest debriefing, to examine ourselves, and to draw deep, incisive, and uncompromising lessons.”
“From the depth of the severe failure, we emerge more alert and prepared. For the responsibility for the security of Israel’s citizens rests on our shoulders – and on ours alone. We have gone to an intense, multi-arena war on all fronts; from the south to the north, above ground and below, IDF commanders and soldiers operate with determination, initiative, and courage against our enemies – protecting Israel’s citizens, restoring security, and fortifying the future of the State of Israel.”
“Within the ongoing campaign, in the historic operations ‘Gideon’s Chariots’, ‘With the Lion’s Pride’, and ‘The Lion’s Roar’, and in the efforts to release our hostages, in nearby and distant arenas – the IDF has proven time and again its strength, its operational superiority, and its ability to operate in close multi-branch cooperation to protect the State of Israel.”
“Distinguished guests, we are not only fighting the wars of the past, but building the army of the future. The multi-year plan we are leading is designed to ensure that the IDF continues to be a strong, advanced, initiative-taking, and decisive army, capable of overcoming the changing challenges ahead. But more than anything, the multi-year plan ‘Choshen’ is an investment in people – in you, the career personnel of the IDF.”
“In the last two and a half years, you have proven time and again that you are the backbone of the IDF; in readiness, professionalism, perseverance, and willingness to bear any responsibility and mission. Many of our successes would not have been possible without the commitment, knowledge, and experience you bring with you every single day. Our commitment to you is no less profound. We will continue to strengthen you and your families; to invest in human capital, in the combat and support ranks, in service conditions, in training, and in the ability to continue fostering a quality, value-driven, and professional generation of career personnel, for the IDF’s greatest advantage lies not only in advanced technology – but in the people who serve in it.”
“An excellence ceremony during wartime carries a deeper and more charged significance than a ceremony during peacetime. Earlier today, Major Shavit Ben Moshe spoke on behalf of the outstanding individuals. During the inferno of October 7th, he fought with his battalion in the Gaza envelope communities, was wounded in battle, and lost his older brother, Ariel Ben Moshe, may his memory be blessed, who was also a Chief of Staff awardee. Even after his injury and heavy loss, Shavit chose to continue in his brother’s path and legacy, returned to command his company, and continued to lead his men with excellence, setting an inspiring personal example.”
“Joining him is Major Sapir Cohen-Sharabi, the first woman to serve as a technical officer in a fighter squadron in the Air Force – a groundbreaking commander who operated with uncompromising professionalism and responsibility for the operational readiness of aircraft that attacked in nearby and distant arenas, thereby serving as a personal example to her subordinates.”
“With us is Major Yonatan Haddad, serving as the intelligence officer for the 7th Brigade. Yonatan is an outstanding officer, from an exceptional family where excellence is not just a momentary achievement, but a way of life. On October 7th, in the inferno of battle, his mother – Tali, who is with us here today – acted with courage and rescued wounded under fire, and his brother also fought bravely and was wounded in battle. Yonatan’s three brothers also received excellence awards over the years, and now Yonatan joins them.”
“Standing alongside them is Sergeant Major Moshe Konstantino from the Home Front Command, who operated throughout the war with composure and courage in rescue missions of trapped individuals under fire. In his field operations, he saved many lives. The excellence of Shavit, Sapir, Yonatan, and Moshe, and of you, the outstanding individuals, is not measured solely by role or rank – but by the human stories of the modern-day Nachshons; those who seek contact in battle with sacrifice and risk to their lives; who were sometimes wounded, got up, and returned to action out of a deep sense of mission.”
“In particularly complex and difficult years, your stories are a source of great pride for your commanders, your families, and for the entire IDF. Dear families, you are partners in every decoration and commendation. You are the strong anchor that enables your loved ones to stand by their mission. Thank you for your irreplaceable commitment and support. Even at this festive occasion, we remember our fallen comrades. Commanders and subordinates, brothers in arms, who risked their lives for the homeland. We carry their memory with us every day. We embrace the bereaved families and pray for the recovery of our brave heroes, who are now fighting the battle of their lives in rehabilitation.”
“Dear outstanding men and women, at the end of March 1948, during the days of ‘Black March’, when Jerusalem was under siege and existential threat, a bold and unprecedented decision was made to mobilize a large force and break through the road to the city in an operation called ‘Operation Nachshon’. Years later, the head of the Haganah’s National Command, Israel Galili, described that night in words etched in the annals of our independence: ‘Terror gave birth to daring, and daring gave birth to Nachshon’.”
“For over two years of complex and multi-arena fighting, we too have encountered difficult moments, moments of trial, and uncertainty. But each time anew – out of the gravity of responsibility and the hour – an army of ‘Nachshons’ emerged, breaking through. Excellence is not measured solely by the strength to break through and be determined, but primarily by the ability to do all this with humility. To act without ego, out of a sense of mission, shoulder to shoulder with your subordinates, for the security of our people and the defense of our home. Thanks to your determination, your courage, and your command humility – you are the strong shield of the entire State of Israel. Go forth and succeed.”
