Israel Defense Forces ✔

IDF: IDF Chief of the General Staff at a recognition event for IDF troops and security forces: “I stand here solely as the commander of hundreds of thousands of troops and officers—both in mandatory service and the reserves—who carry the security of the state on their shoulders every day, hour by hour” “We must expand the IDF, broaden the pool of those serving, and equip it with the necessary manpower and advanced capabilities to meet its expanding missions. At the same time, our highest obligation is to care for those who serve in the IDF—mandatory service personnel, career service personnel, reservists, and IDF employees—who are the foundation of our strength and the secret to our power” “The IDF is the people’s army, and those in the civil service are servants of the people. In my view, this is the profound meaning of the partnership between us” A recognition event for IDF troops and security forces, organized by the State Employees’ Union, was held today (Thursday), led by the Chairman of the State Employees’ Union, Ofir Alkalay, and attended by the IDF Chief of the General Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir; the Head of the IDF Manpower Directorate, MG Dado Bar Kalifa; and additional representatives. During the conference, the IDF Chief of the General Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir, received an award of appreciation for IDF troops on behalf of the State Employees’ Union. Upon receiving the award, the Chief of the General Staff thanked the many partners for their work and contributions. He later visited an exhibition presented at the event, which paid tribute to IDF Chiefs of the General Staff throughout the years. Remarks by the IDF Chief of the General Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir, at the appreciation conference for IDF troops and security forces: “First and foremost, I would like to say that I accept this shield with great humility, but in truth, it is not for me, and I am certainly not the focus here today. I stand here solely as the commander of hundreds of thousands of troops and officers—both in mandatory service and the reserves—who carry the security of the state on their shoulders every day, hour by hour. This shield belongs to the reservists who left behind their homes, families, and careers and reported for duty out of a profound sense of mission; it belongs to the families who provide them with unwavering support, and to the fallen and wounded who have paid the highest price. I am merely the representative of an entire military that operates with dedication, determination, and humility, and I accept this recognition in their name and because of them.