Avi Mizrahi
Encyclopedia
Aluf
Avi (Abraham) Mizrahi (born 1957) is a general in the Israel Defense Forces
and the current Head of Israeli Central Command (since October 2009).
. He later entered the Israeli Armor Corps
, where he worked his way up to brigade commander. After that he served as the representative of the IDF GOC Army Headquarters
at United States Army Training and Doctrine Command
(TRADOC) and the commander of several formations.
In 2005 Mizrahi was appointed the head of the Logistics, Medical, and the Centers Directorate, and from 2007 until 2009 he served as the Chief of the Ground forces. Before his most recent appointment, Mizrahi served as the Head of the IDF GOC Army Headquarters
.
Since October 2009 Mizrahi is the Head of the IDF IDF Central Command.
over the Gaza War. Mizrahi noted that Turkey had no right to criticize Israel's action as Turkey itself stationed troops in Northern Cyprus, oppressed its Kurdish minority
, and massacred Armenians
during World War I. Israeli ambassador was summoned to Turkey's foreign ministry to explain these remarks, while IDF Spokesperson's Unit
issued a statement saying Mizrahi's words do not represent any official position.
Aluf
Aluf is the term used for General and Admiral in the Israel Defense Forces . In addition to the Aluf rank itself, there are four other ranks which are derivatives of the word...
Avi (Abraham) Mizrahi (born 1957) is a general in the Israel Defense Forces
Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
and the current Head of Israeli Central Command (since October 2009).
Military career
Mizrahi was drafted by the IDF in 1975, and joined Sayeret Golani (95th Recon. Company), the SF unit of the 1st Infantry BrigadeGolani Brigade
The Golani Brigade is an Israeli infantry brigade that is subordinated to the 36th Division and traditionally associated with the Northern Command. Its symbol is a green tree on a yellow background, and its soldiers wear a brown beret. It is one of the most highly decorated infantry units in the...
. He later entered the Israeli Armor Corps
Israeli Armor Corps
The Israeli Armored Corps is a corps of the Israel Defense Forces, since 1998 subordinate to GOC Army Headquarters...
, where he worked his way up to brigade commander. After that he served as the representative of the IDF GOC Army Headquarters
GOC Army Headquarters
The Israeli GOC Army headquarters , known unofficially as Mazi, is a multi-corps command headquarters created in 1998, which amalgamates the ground forces of the Israel Defense Forces...
at United States Army Training and Doctrine Command
United States Army Training and Doctrine Command
Established 1 July 1973, the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command is an army command of the United States Army headquartered at Fort Eustis, Virginia. It is charged with overseeing training of Army forces, the development of operational doctrine, and the development and procurement of...
(TRADOC) and the commander of several formations.
In 2005 Mizrahi was appointed the head of the Logistics, Medical, and the Centers Directorate, and from 2007 until 2009 he served as the Chief of the Ground forces. Before his most recent appointment, Mizrahi served as the Head of the IDF GOC Army Headquarters
GOC Army Headquarters
The Israeli GOC Army headquarters , known unofficially as Mazi, is a multi-corps command headquarters created in 1998, which amalgamates the ground forces of the Israel Defense Forces...
.
Since October 2009 Mizrahi is the Head of the IDF IDF Central Command.
Turkish-Israeli diplomatic incident
In February 2009, during a speech at the Gelilot military base, Mizrahi caused a diplomatic incident, commenting on sharp critical remarks voiced by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoganRecep Tayyip Erdogan
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been Prime Minister of Turkey since 2003 and is chairman of the ruling Justice and Development Party , which holds a majority of the seats in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. Erdoğan served as Mayor of Istanbul from 1994 to 1998. He graduated in 1981 from Marmara...
over the Gaza War. Mizrahi noted that Turkey had no right to criticize Israel's action as Turkey itself stationed troops in Northern Cyprus, oppressed its Kurdish minority
Kurds in Turkey
Ethnic Kurds compose a significant portion of the population in Turkey . Unlike the Turks, the Kurds speak an Indo-European language...
, and massacred Armenians
Armenian Genocide
The Armenian Genocide—also known as the Armenian Holocaust, the Armenian Massacres and, by Armenians, as the Great Crime—refers to the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I...
during World War I. Israeli ambassador was summoned to Turkey's foreign ministry to explain these remarks, while IDF Spokesperson's Unit
IDF Spokesperson's Unit
The IDF Spokesperson's Unit is the unit in the IDF Operations Directorate, responsible for information policy and media relations. The unit is led by the IDF Spokesperson, a brigadier general and member of the General Staff, and by the Deputy Spokesperson, a colonel. The current Spokesperson is...
issued a statement saying Mizrahi's words do not represent any official position.