Herzl “Herzi” Halevi

Herzl “Herzi” Halevi was born on December 17, 1967, in Jerusalem. He was named for an uncle, also a paratrooper, who was killed during the Six-Day War. His father’s family came from Russia while his mother’s family traces their roots in Jerusalem back 14 generations. Halevi studied at Himmelfarb religious high school and was a member of the Tzofim religious scouts.

He was drafted into the IDF in 1985. He volunteered as a paratrooper and served as a squad leader. In 1987, he became a platoon leader and led the Paratroopers Brigade’s anti-tank company in counter-guerrilla operations in South Lebanon. Afterward, he was assigned to Sayeret Matkal, the IDF’s special forces unit. He commanded the unit during the Second Intifada. His next command was the Menashe Regional Brigade. During Operation Cast Lead, Halevi commanded the 35th Paratroopers Brigade. In 2013, he was chosen to run the Staff and Command College He later commanded the 91st Division.

According to Jodi Rudoren:

In 2002, during the second Palestinian intifada, the concerns General Halevi raised about a planned operation to capture Yasser Arafat, then president of the Palestinian Authority, from its headquarters in Ramallah, where Mr. Arafat was under siege, led to its cancellation. He is admired as a creative thinker and beloved for attending annual memorials for fallen soldiers. Some, though, find him aloof, square or self-righteous, with a quiet leadership style that can befuddle young recruits.

In 2014, he was appointed as the head of Military Intelligence, the first Orthodox Jew to hold the position.

In 2018, Halevi became the commander of Israel’s Southern Command, overseeing IDF activity around the Gaza Strip.

In 2021, he was appointed the deputy chief of staff, and in 2022, Maj. Gen. Halevi was appointed the 36th Chief of Staff.

On January 21, 2025, Halevi announced his resignation as IDF Chief of Staff effective March 6, 2025, citing responsibility for the IDF’s failure to prevent the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. In his resignation letter, Halevi highlighted the heavy toll of that day, his enduring accountability, and the military’s subsequent achievements, including weakening Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iranian proxies and creating conditions for hostage releases. He emphasized the IDF’s resilience, ongoing investigations, and commitment to securing Israel’s future while ensuring a thorough transition to his successor.

On March 5, 2025, Halevi was officially succeeded by Eyal Zamir as IDF Chief of Staff. Halevi called for a national commission of inquiry into the October 7 failures, emphasizing the need for accountability and systemic improvements. He also pushed back against political criticism of the military, arguing that such attacks could undermine soldiers’ morale and trust. Despite the failures, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Halevi’s decades-long military service and leadership in classified operations.

Sources: Jodi Rudoren, “To a Philosopher-General in Israel, Peace Is the Time to Prepare for War,” New York Times, (November 15, 2013);
“Herzi Halevi,” Wikipedia.
Emanuel Fabian, “IDF chief Halevi announces he will resign on March 6, cites ‘my responsibility for the failure of the IDF on October 7,’” Times of Israel, (January 21, 2025).
“IDF chief Halevi’s resignation letter: ‘Oct. 7 failure will remain with me for the rest of my life,’” Times of Israel, (January 21, 2025).
Emanuel Fabian, “Eyal Zamir takes over from Herzi Halevi as IDF chief, vows victory over Hamas,” Times of Israel, (March 5, 2025).

Photo: Adi Cohen Zedek, Wikipedia.