Yoav Galant - Military Career

Military Career

Galant began his military career in 1977 as a naval commando in the 13th Flotilla. In the 1980s, after six years in the flotilla, he moved to Alaska and worked as a lumberjack. He then returned to the navy and served on a missile boat (including a position as deputy-commander of INS Keshet) and again in the 13th Flotilla. In 1992, Galant was earmarked by then-navy commander Ami Ayalon for the command of the 13th Flotilla, a position he was meant to take up in 1994. Galant preferred not to study during the two remaining years, and instead moved into the ground forces and in 1993 took up command of the Menashe (Jenin) Brigade of the West Bank Division.

After serving for three years as commander of the 13th Flotilla, Galant moved up to command the Gaza Division. He also commanded the reserve 340th Armored Division (Idan Formation), and in 2001 became the Chief of Staff of the GOC Army Headquarters. Galant attained the rank of a major general when he became the Military Secretary of the Prime Minister in 2002. In 2005, Galant was appointed as commander of the Southern Command. During his tenure (that lasted till October 21, 2010), the Israel Defense Forces embarked on Operation Cast Lead against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Galant commanded the operation and his role in the field and in the success of the operation gained praise and helped him in the race to Chief of Staff.

The Israeli NGO, Yesh Gvul, filed suit against Galant's appointment as IDF chief of staff, claiming that his command role in Cast Lead confirmed him as a suspect in "grave violations of international law." Haaretz noted that Galant lobbied against an investigation of Col. Ilan Malka, the IDF commander who approved the airstrike that killed 21 members of the al-Samouni clan during Cast Lead. Galant's view was ignored as the military prosecutor general opened an investigation of the incident which was highlighted by the Goldstone Report as a possible serious breach of international law.