Brigadier General Nadav Lotan was promoted to the rank of general (Aluf) yesterday (Wednesday), at a ceremony held at the Rabin camp (the Kirya) headed by the Chief of Staff, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-General Herzi Halevy, and in the presence of the Defense Minister, Israel Katz and other members of the General Staff Forum, commanders and the family of the General. Lotan is expected to take office in the coming weeks.
“There is a very basic fact that the last war has proven, and still proves: There is no substitute for the capabilities of land units in achieving a victory in the war,” said the defense minister, “The experience of the past few years has taught us that both in routine times and during campaign times, the ground forces must constantly act with a creative and innovative visions that always look a few years forward.”
“Nadav, the rank of Aluf granted to you now and your joining the General Staff Forum reflect the appreciation for you,” Katz added, “and from now on – the burden of proof is on you. Tamir, thanks for everything. Your success – is our success.”
“The Maneuver is central in the path to security.”
The new general Nadav Lotan said: “The maneuver is central to the security concept since the establishment of the state and today, every day the IDF under the command of field commanders proves that strong, connected and effective ground forces with the help of many arms can reach anywhere we signal them in the campaign. I humbly salute you, field commanders and fighters in regular and reserve duty, for the recovery a year ago and for the tremendous achievements in all sectors,” the general added.
“I accept the duty and the significant task of building the ground forces in the present campaign and the next fronts that we will expect in the coming years. Building the forces of maneuver and defense is a national task. It’s my life’s work! And I will do whatever it takes to establish a land army that is learning, effective with length of breath, and especially with the preservation of the offensive and practical spirit that is required in all avenues of command,” he concluded.
The Chief of Staff, General Herzi Halevi, congratulated the incoming commander of the ground forces, and thanked the outgoing commander: “The commanders who are sitting here know what we want from the ground forces, know how much it is necessary and important. A victorious war can only be achieved with a very powerful ground force,” saif the chief of staff.
