Col (res.) Lior Lotan was named the IDF’s new spokesman on Wednesday, after Defense Minister Ehud Barak approved the recommendation by IDF Chief-designate Yoav Galant. Lotan will be raised to the rank of Brigadier General and will be replacing current spokesman Avi Benayahu.
Lotan joined the elite Sayeret Matkal unit in 1983 where he served as both combatant and commander. In 1994 Lotan was awarded the IDF chief’s Medal of Honor for his part in the operation for the release of abducted IDF soldier Nachshon Wachsman.
Lotan also served as commander of the general staff’s negotiating team which specializes in hostage situations and also as head of the department of prisoners and missing persons in the Military Intelligence division. He participated in the Second Lebanon war in 2006.
Lotan has also been the director of the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism and has lectured at the School of Government at the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya. He is recognized as an expert in negotiations during crisis situations and in dealing with terrorism.
Col. (res.) Lotan holds a law degree from Bar Ilan University and is an attorney by training. He will begin serving as IDF Spokesman after Yoav Galant begins his term as Chief of Staff.