Herzi Halevi

Herzi Halevi was born in 1967 in Jerusalem

Halevi was born in Jerusalem in 1967. He was named after his uncle, who was killed in the battle for Jerusalem in the Six-Day War. His grandfather was a member of the Irgun, and his grandmother was a niece of Rabbi Abraham Isaac HaCohen Kook.

He attended Himmelfarb High School and was a member of the religious scouts. He earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy and business management from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He later earned a master's degree from the National Defense University in Washington.

Halevi joined the IDF in 1985 and served in the paratroopers. He went on to command Sayeret Matkal, the Paratroopers Brigade and the Galilee Division. From 2014 to 2018 he headed Military Intelligence, and he was the first practicing Orthodox Jew in that post.

In 2018 he became head of Southern Command, and in 2021 deputy chief of staff. He became Chief of the General Staff on 16 January 2023 and led the IDF during the war in Gaza. He took responsibility for the IDF's failures on October 7 and resigned in March 2025.

Halevi lives in Kfar HaOranim. He is married to Sharon and has 4 children.