Katz Appoints New Coordinator for His Forces in the Palestinian Territories

Translation by SadaNews - Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Thursday imposed the appointment of Yoram Halevi as the new head of the Israeli government's Coordinator of Operations in the Palestinian territories, replacing Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir.

According to the Israeli Army Radio, as translated by SadaNews, Halevi is a retired police officer who Katz brought in from outside rather than choosing an officer from the army.

Halevi has been promoted to the rank of major general.

Zamir had nominated Hisham Ibrahim for the position, a senior officer who has worked in the same office for years.

Halevi's appointment has been described as an unprecedented step in the history of the Israeli army, bringing in a retired officer from the Israeli police who had not previously worked in coordination and security liaison issues, and who has not held senior positions in the army, to take on the sensitive role of the Coordinator of Government Operations in the territories during this sensitive time.