Shake-up in Israeli military as Deputy Chief of General Staff Amir Baram steps down

Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Deputy Chief of General Staff Amir Baram has stepped down, sending shockwaves through the military leadership.

While his resignation may have appeared sudden, it follows a natural course: Baram's two-year term technically ended in February 2024, but due to the ongoing war, Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi requested an extension, which Baram agreed to despite it being a deviation from standard practice, Caliber.Az reports via Israeli media.

Although such extensions are typically capped at six months, Baram extended his tenure for an additional year. Now that this extended period has concluded, Baram has decided not to stay on. He cited the decreasing intensity of fighting and the reduced opportunity to contribute effectively as key factors behind his decision.

Baram, who was viewed by many as a leading candidate for Chief of General Staff, emphasized that he was resigning from his current position but had no intention of leaving the IDF. However, his statement appeared to subtly criticize Defense Minister Israel Katz, who suspended promotions in the General Staff pending the completion of an investigation. Some analysts also believe this resignation signals growing tensions between Katz and Halevi, with the Defense Minister reportedly seeking direct engagement with generals, bypassing the Chief of Staff.

Two main candidates are now in consideration to succeed Baram: Major General Tamir Yadai, who recently commanded the Ground Forces, and Major General Uri Gordin, the commander of the Northern Front. However, Katz's moratorium on military appointments may delay the selection, potentially leaving the General Staff without a deputy for an extended period.

An IDF spokesperson confirmed that Baram's resignation had been discussed in advance with the Chief of General Staff, who expressed gratitude for his service. Baram himself has expressed his willingness to accept a new role within the IDF if needed.

In his resignation letter, Baram wrote: “The intensity of fighting has significantly decreased and I feel that in the current situation, my contribution to what is happening as deputy chief of general staff is limited.”

At the time of the October 7 attacks, Baram was serving as the deputy chief of general staff, a role he continues to hold despite his resignation from the position.

By Tamilla Hasanova