Israeli panel approves for government to appoint Halevi new IOF chief

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The Israeli panel overseeing senior appointments approved Tuesday for the government to appoint Herzi Halevi as the Israeli occupation army's new Chief of Staff, Haaretz reported.

According to the news website, Halevi is expected to take office on January 1, 2023, and replace Aviv Kochavi.

Israeli occupation Security Minister Benny Gantz announced in September that his candidate for the 23rd Israeli occupation army's new Chief of Staff would be Halevi.

In mid-August, Israeli media agencies quoted former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett as saying that "it is irresponsible not to appoint a chief of staff while Israel is in a sensitive security situation."

The legal advisor to the Israeli occupation government, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, had said that the government could appoint a new chief of staff despite the upcoming election. But the right-wing Likud party lawmakers threatened to replace the Attorney General if they return to power, Haaretz mentioned.

The Israeli news website cited the Israeli "Justice" Ministry as saying that the decision to allow Halevi's recent appointment was made in light of the security risks posed by not selecting a new Israeli occupation army chief of staff.

Halevi served as the occupation's military "intelligence branch, Commander of the Southern Command and Deputy Chief of Staff," mentioned Haaretz.

On Twitter, Gantz congratulated Halevi, 54, on his appointment, but Israeli Knesset member Simcha Rothman of the far-right Religious Zionism party pointed out that "no one should receive an automatic certificate of immunity," adding that "if he [Halevi ] fits – he will stay."

According to Haaretz, an Israeli occupation army Chief of Staff being fired by the government has never happened in the occupation's history.