IDF Chief Appoints Brigadier General Moati as Projector Without Defense Minister Approval

Israel's Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, has appointed Brigadier General Eliad Moati to the role of "Projector in the Ground Forces," a position that does not require Defense Minister approval. This move follows Defense Minister Israel Katz's refusal to promote Moati to division commander, despite a committee finding no obstacle to his advancement. The tension between Katz and Zamir has escalated amid Katz's decision over a year ago to block promotions of three senior officers he held responsible for the October 7 events, without detailed examination or explanation.

Moati, who was appointed commander of the Border Defense Corps just a week before the October 7 attack, was later recommended by Zamir for command of Division 210. Katz rejected this nomination, leading to another officer's appointment. After completing his role as commander of the National Ground Training Center, Zamir chose to retain Moati in service by assigning him as a projector, signaling intentions to promote him to division commander in the future, possibly after a new defense minister is appointed post-elections.

Reports suggest Zamir may be preparing Moati to command the Judea and Samaria Division, which explains why the position was left unfilled in the recent appointment cycle. The IDF confirmed that Moati recently ended his command at the training center and will soon begin his role as projector following a vacation period.