The first practicing Orthodox Jew to lead Israeli military intelligence
In short: Herzi Halevi’s rise to the top of the Israel Defense Forces was defined by a unique duality: a deep religious identity and a career in elite special operations. From leading Sayeret Matkal to commanding the Southern Command, his trajectory reflects a complex intersection of faith and high-stakes security.
Halevi was born in Jerusalem in 1967, named after an uncle who died during the Six-Day War. While his paternal ancestors moved from Russia, his maternal relatives resided within Jerusalem for 14 generations, anchoring his ancestry in the area. He was raised in a religious environment, attending religious scouts and continuing to attend synagogue on the Sabbath today.
His military career began in 1985 when he volunteered as a paratrooper. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming an infantry officer in 1987 and leading anti-tank companies in the South Lebanon conflict. By 1993, he was assigned to Sayeret Matkal, the IDF's elite special forces unit, where he eventually served as a company commander during the Second Intifada. He later commanded the Paratroopers Brigade during the 2008–2009 Gaza War.
Halevi broke significant ground in 2014 when he became the chief of the Military Intelligence Directorate. Notably, he was the first practicing Orthodox Jew to hold this position. During his tenure, he focused on institutional cooperation, notably signing a memorandum of understanding with the Shin Bet to resolve long-standing disputes over intelligence sharing and resource allocation.
Halevi served as the 23rd Chief of the General Staff from January 2023 to March 2025. During his leadership, he commanded the IDF during the current Gaza war. He declared his plan to step down in January 2025, accepting blame for the IDF's shortcomings during the October 7 strikes. He was succeeded by Eyal Zamir on March 5, 2025.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Herzi Halevi
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