Israel Katz appoints Deputy Chief of Staff as Defense Ministry Director-General

Defense Minister Israel Katz has chosen IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Amir Baram today (Wednesday) as the man to replace Major General (res.) Eyal Zamir as the Defense Ministry's Director General.

This decision comes following Katz and the government's appointment of Zamir as the man to replace Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi as IDF Chief of Staff, following the latter's resignation over the army's failure to stop October 7.

Here is the full Defense Ministry statement:

Amir Baram will assume his position in the coming weeks, following the conclusion of his IDF service and after completing orderly handover procedures with the incoming Deputy Chief of Staff, with the Acting Director-General of the Ministry of Defense, and after completing the appointment process and its approval by the government.

Amir Baram (55) served for 37 years in the IDF in various senior combat and command roles, including commander of the Paratroopers Reconnaissance Unit, commander of Battalion 890, commander of the Maglan Unit, commander of the Paratroopers Brigade, commander of Division 98, commander of Division 91, and in December 2017 was promoted to the rank of Major General and appointed commander of the Northern Corps, while simultaneously appointed commander of the Military Colleges. In April 2019, he was appointed commander of the Northern Command.

In October 2022, he was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff and was responsible for the IDF's force building. Baram comes from within the defense establishment and is very familiar with procurement processes, weaponry, and military industries, and maintains deep working relationships with his counterparts in the United States, enabling him to make a crucial contribution for rapid procurement.

Amir Baram is experienced in managing large security systems while maintaining efficient interfaces with relevant civilian systems. In his role as Deputy Chief of Staff, he formulated and coordinated the IDF's needs regarding its force building plan for the coming decade, and presented the implications to the Minister of Defense, the Ministerial Committee for Procurement, and the Nagel Committee, and will be able to contribute to their implementation.

Amir Baram is married and a father to three children (two of whom serve in the security forces), resides in the central region, and is a graduate of the Joint Command and Staff College and the Royal College of Security Studies. He holds a bachelor's degree in law from Reichman University and a master's degree in international relations from King's College London.

Defense Minister Israel Katz: "I have decided to appoint Amir Baram as Director-General of the Ministry of Defense. Amir Baram is an outstanding commander and fighter who has dedicated his life to Israel's security and served in senior and significant positions in the IDF, bringing with him extensive experience in building the IDF's capabilities, including in procurement, defense industries, budget, construction infrastructure, and international-strategic cooperation with the United States and other countries. I am convinced that during this period, when the defense establishment faces great challenges, Amir Baram will be able to make a decisive contribution to strengthening the IDF's capabilities and advancing its missions, enabling the IDF to be a victorious army that prevails in various arenas and protects the security of the State of Israel."

Deputy Chief of Staff and designated Director-General of the Ministry of Defense, Amir Baram: "I thank Defense Minister Israel Katz for the great trust he has placed in me with my selection for this position. I see the role of Director-General of the Ministry of Defense as a great privilege and an enormous commitment to continue security work to strengthen the State of Israel, especially in light of the many challenges in this era. I will continue to act resolutely while maintaining close cooperation with my partners in the defense establishment in general and the IDF in particular."