Ran Galinka

Ran Galinka was born in 1952 in Ramat Rachel

Ran Galinka was born in 1952 at Kibbutz Ramat Rachel. His father, Lieutenant Colonel Shmuel Galinka, fought in the War of Independence and was killed in the Sinai War. The family moved to Kibbutz Ramat Yohanan, where he grew up.

He joined the IDF in 1969 and volunteered for Shayetet 13, later becoming a team commander after officers' course. As deputy commander he led the unit's main force in Operation Blue and Brown. He commanded the unit from 1991 to 1994, including during Operation Accountability.

In 1995 he became commander of the Nahal, which in June 1997 was merged with the Education Corps and Gadna under his command. He left the IDF in 1999.

In December 1999 he was appointed director general of the State Comptroller's Office but resigned after a few months. From September 2001 to March 2002 he was acting director general of the Israel Broadcasting Authority, after Prime Minister Ariel Sharon declined to approve a permanent appointment. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics and logistics from Bar-Ilan University and works in technology ventures.