The IDF Chief of Staff Change of Command ceremony for incoming IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir was held Wednesday morning at the "Kirya" in Tel Aviv.
At the ceremony, which was attended by top IDF officials, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and others, Zamir was also awarded the rank of Lieutenant General.
Zamir replaces outgoing IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, who steps down Wednesday.
Halevi said: "On October 7th, at 06:29 in the morning, everyone came, the IDF was one... We operated, as always, out of responsibility for the security of the State. When the state you love so much is in danger, there is no place you would rather be than where I was, to lead and to influence. I would have preferred to prevent it. I would have preferred, of course, that none of this had happened. This was under my watch, and what happened is my responsibility, and I bear and will bear it forever."
"In the name of responsibility, I also end my role. Of the great words, many of which have been spoken, but their meaning is in the eyes of the beholder. I see responsibility as a matter of values, not of law. Values are higher than laws. I have always felt my responsibility as the commander of the military, particularly on the day of Simchat Torah. This will stay with me forever. The responsibility to the citizens, to the commanders and soldiers who fought valiantly and did not return, to those who waited for the IDF that did not arrive, to the wounded, to all of the hostages.
"For four decades, I was responsible for some of the achievements that occurred before October 7th and also after - important actions that we took, my subordinates and I. I have always examined responsibility from me downward. I have always believed in backing my people, in teaching and mentoring – to make mistakes, to rise, and to go forward, commanding from the front."
He added, "From now on, every officer and commander must see themselves as if they were personally present on October 7th. This is how we must remember, learn the lessons, and act to ensure that such a day never happens again in the history of the nation."
"For many years, the IDF stood firm in its missions. On October 7th, the IDF failed. There was a deep failure here, but it is not correct that such a failure of this magnitude will only be inquired by the IDF and the ISA. The IDF is part of a system of national priorities, it receives policies and operates according to them. The establishment of a state commission of inquiry is necessary and essential – not to place blame, but first and foremost, to understand the root of the problems and allow for correction."
"The war is not over. Victory is a necessary goal, but victory is not achieved by words alone," he stressed, adding, "We must not stop."
"We must do everything to bring back the hostages, all of them, both the living and the deceased – this is an essential part of victory."
Turning to his successor, he said: "Eyal, the IDF is a strong and powerful army. The IDF is also a national army, and this is its strength – in its steadfast and independent stance. It does not belong to a person, but to the nation. Many great and worthy individuals have held this significant position before me. It was my privilege, and now it is yours. Many challenges lie ahead of you, and I believe and know you will overcome them."
"Keep October 7th in your mind every day, every hour, as you lie down and as you rise. I appreciate you, Eyal, and wish you a successful path, filled with meaningful achievements.
"I have never liked the spotlight. I have always preferred the depth of the night, to walk quietly, whisper into the communication device, and think clearly. I am now passing on the command. If you ever need a soldier for a dark night, I am yours, always."
Zamir said, "Soldiers of the IDF, my fellow combat soldiers – from your ranks I emerged, and to your ranks I return."
"To you, the tank crews in the ranks of our tanks, the soldiers of the reconnaissance battalions, the infantry soldiers, the combat engineers, and the bulldozer operators in the alleyways; to the artillery positions, the field observers on the borders, our pilots in the skies, and our naval captains at sea.
"You – the combat soldiers in active duty, career service, and the reserves – bear the greatest burden on your soldiers. You are the vanguard of Zionism and the defenders of the Jewish people. My fellow combat soldiers, through your courage and sacrifice, you have been and remain the force that drives change for the IDF and Israeli society. We will make every effort to strengthen you. The entire IDF will work for you, the combat soldiers. We are all united in one shared and sacred mission – defending the nation, achieving victory in battle, and achieving decisive outcomes in war."
Accepting his new role and responsibility, Zamir continued: "I assume command of the IDF today with reverence and humility. I am fully aware of the immense responsibility placed upon me. This duty is unlike any other, as it is a moment of historical reckoning."
"On the morning of October 7th, the IDF failed in its mission. The border was breached. Our enemies infiltrated our communities, massacring our babies, children, our women, our brothers. Out of this devastation, the people of Israel rose, once again proving their resilience and unity in a time of trial. Civilians and soldiers alike initiated contact, charged into battle, and fought — some as individuals, others in small units — even at the cost of their own lives. They proved to us that we are brothers and sisters."
"The IDF has achieved remarkable successes on the battlefield. We have won battles in Gaza and Lebanon. We struck further than ever in Yemen and Iran. The murderous terrorist organization Hamas has suffered a severe blow, but it has not yet been defeated. The mission is not yet complete.
"We will never lose sight of the memory of our sons and daughters, the beautiful, the pure-hearted, as they fled for their lives from a music festival in an unplowed field, hunted down by predators. We will engrave in our hearts entire families, the terror-stricken gazes of children and their parents, slaughtered and burned — in Nir Oz, Be’eri, Kfar Aza, and Nahal Oz, in Netiv Ha'asara, Sderot, and Ofakim. We will never forget the cries for help, pleading, in the face of the merciless, demonic evil of the murderers."
Mourning and remembering the victims of the October 7 massacre, he promised, "We will not forgive, we will not forget. This is an existential war. We will persist in our campaign to bring our hostages home and to defeat our enemies. The mission placed upon me from this day forward is clear: to lead the IDF to victory. As it is written in the Book of Psalms: 'I pursue my enemies and overtake them, and I do not turn back until they are destroyed.' In full cooperation with all security forces, we will strike with overwhelming force against anyone who seeks to harm the State of Israel and its citizens."
"The IDF is the best army in the world because it is made up of the best soldiers and commanders in the world, in active duty, career service, and the reserves. Its people are its open secret, the IDF’s greatest strength. They are equipped with an unbreakable spirit, faith, and unwavering determination that is irreplaceable.
"In the face of external threats, we must stand united. The power of the IDF lies in its unity, its values, its diverse composition, and the equal sharing of the national burden."
Turning to his predecessor, Halevi, Zamir said: "LTG Herzi Halevi, Sharon, and your family, I would like to thank you for decades of service to the State of Israel. Herzi, only those who choose demanding service, entailing command and combat leadership, understand the heavy responsibility placed upon us. We navigate a thin ridge, with a deep abyss on one side and a peak rising on the other. One fateful decision separates a fall into the deep abyss from reaching the summit. For four decades, you walked along the ridge, leading operations and battles. The IDF under your command recovered after the failure and led it to achievements in the difficult campaign. On behalf of the IDF, I thank you, the 23rd Chief of the General Staff, for your dedicated service and your contribution to the IDF and the security of the State."
Zamir also thanked his own family - his wife Orna and his children, as well as his parents.
"To the soldiers of the IDF and their commanders, I salute the flag and embark on the mission of my life, the mission of our lives. The Lord will give strength to His people, the Lord will bless His people with peace."
Following the ceremony, the 23rd and 24th Chiefs of the General Staff visited the Western Wall and the President’s Residence, where the President of Israel, Mr. Isaac Herzog, congratulated the new Chief of the General Staff on assuming his position.
The commanders later visited the National Memorial Hall for Israel’s Fallen on Mount Herzl, where they lit a memorial candle and laid a wreath in honor of Israel’s fallen soldiers.
The ceremony to mark the change of command between the 23rd and 24th Chiefs of the General Staff took place at Camp Rabin (The Kirya), and was attended by Commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), General (****) Michael “Erik" Kurilla, the General Staff Forum, family members, and additional commanders.
The ceremony began with the playing of the ”Yizkor" memorial tribute, in memory of the fallen.
LTG Eyal Zamir, who previously served as Director General of the Ministry of Defense, will succeed LTG Herzi Halevi, who has served in the position for the past two years and is concluding 40 years of service in the IDF.