Ya’alon interviews Eizenkot for IDF chief of staff position

With Gantz stepping down in February, defense minister expected to announce decision soon.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN
From left, Maj.-Gen. Gadi Eizenkot, former IDF chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi, and former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (photo credit: REUTERS)
From left, Maj.-Gen. Gadi Eizenkot, former IDF chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi, and former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon interviewed IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Gadi Eizenkot for the position of chief of staff on Tuesday. Ya’alon is scheduled to interview former deputy chief of staff, Maj.- Gen. Yair Naveh for the position as well.
It is widely expected that either Eizenkot or Naveh will replace the current army chief, Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz, with Eizenkot having the better chances to get the post.
Naveh has not had an active military role since January 2013, when he completed a three-year term as deputy chief of staff.
During his career, Eizenkot led the Golani Brigade, the Bashan Armored Division, the Judea and Samaria Division, the IDF’s Operations Branch and the Northern Command.
In 1999, he became the military secretary of prime minister Ehud Barak.
Additionally, Ya’alon is due to interview Maj.-Gen. Yair Golan, who stepped down as OC Northern Command on Sunday, for the position of deputy chief of staff. Golan is believed to be the lead candidate for that post.
Ya’alon is expected to discuss his choice for army chief with former defense officials.
In recent days, Attorney-General Yehuda Weinstein, following a request by Ya’alon, approved the candidacies of Eizenkot and Naveh.
The defense minister is expected to announce his decision soon, with Gantz due to step down in February.