New Defense Minister Israel Katz officially took office on Friday, following a handover ceremony held at the Kirya in Tel Aviv. Members of the forum of the General Staff and the leadership of the Ministry of Defense took part. It was on this occasion that the security system bid farewell to the outgoing Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant.
Outgoing Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in his farewell speech: “In this war we experienced the greatest failure, but also the greatest achievements in the history of the country. Remember that the mission is not yet over, we must fulfill our ethical, traditional duty and the objective of the war by bringing home the 101 hostages who have not yet seen their families and homes again.
“I end my mandate with great pain over the losses and over what has not yet been accomplished – the return of the hostages. But also with a feeling of success and meaning, over what has been done here, under my responsibility over the past two years – the establishment of a new, better strategic reality for the State of Israel,” he added. “This is not a final goodbye. I will continue, as I have done all my life, to work for the security of the State of Israel and the Jewish people.”
Katz said during the ceremony: “Throughout this period, the right decisions have been made and there has never been any doubt about the ability of the military and security agencies to fulfill their mission perfectly. We must preserve and cultivate these extraordinary capabilities. I am convinced that we will act together with the Prime Minister, the government and the civilian systems in unity. I will be the shield of the army in the face of different processes and I will mobilize all my capabilities. in order to allow the army to concentrate fully on what it must do – with all its might.”
Speaking to outgoing Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Katz said: “We have been friends and we will remain so because we believe in the same things that will ensure the security and future of the State of Israel, the Jewish State. I promise you that the entire State of Israel will emerge from this confrontation and this pain to reach much greater heights.”
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