{{pp|small=yes}} {{Short description|22nd Chief of Staff of the Israeli Defense Forces}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2025}} {{Infobox military person | name = Aviv Kohavi | native_name = אביב כוכבי | native_name_lang = he | image = Avivcoch.jpeg | caption = Kohavi in 2019 | birth_place = Kiryat Bialik, Israel | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1964|4|23|df=y}} | death_place = | nickname = | allegiance = {{flag|Israel}} | branch = {{armed forces|Israel}} | service_years = 1982–2023<ref>[https://www.timesofisrael.com/herzi-halevi-becomes-idfs-23rd-chief-of-staff-in-handover-ceremony/ Herzi Halevi becomes IDF’s 23rd chief of staff in handover ceremony""], Emanuael Fabian in Times of Israel, 16 January 2023</ref> | rank = 38px Rav Aluf | commands = * 101st "Peten" (Elapidae) paratroop battalion * 98th Paratroopers Division * 143rd (Territorial) Division * Operations Division of the IDF's Operations Directorate * Israeli Military Intelligence Directorate * Northern Command * Deputy Chief of General Staff * Chief of the General Staff | battles = * First Lebanon War * Security Zone in Lebanon * First Intifada * Second Intifada * 2006 Lebanon War * Operation Summer Rains * Operation Cast Lead * Operation Pillar of Defense * Operation Protective Edge * Operation Black Belt * Operation Guardian of the Walls * Operation Breaking Dawn | awards = | relations = | other_work = }} '''Aviv Kohavi''' ({{langx|he|אביב כוכבי}}; born 23 April 1964) is an Israeli former general who served as the 22nd Chief of General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces from 15 January 2019 to 16 January 2023. Before becoming Lieutenant General (Rav-Aluf), he was commander of the Gaza Division, commander of the Northern Command, commander of the Paratroopers Brigade and Military Intelligence Directorate.
== Early life and education == thumb|left|upright|Kohavi enlisting in the army, 1982 Kohavi was one of three children born to Shaul and Riva Kohavi.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Asa-El|first=Amotz|date=24 November 2018|title=Unconventional warrior|url=https://www.jpost.com/in-jerusalem/unconventional-warrior-572594|access-date=24 May 2021|publisher=The Jerusalem Post}}</ref> His father was a shop owner and his mother was a physical education teacher.<ref name=":0" /> His maternal grandfather and some of his brothers immigrated to Israel from Russia before World War II. His paternal grandfather's family lived in Kraków, Poland. His grandfather, Romek-Abraham, immigrated to Israel in the 1920s, and was one of the pioneers of Highway 75 and one of the founders of Kiryat Haim.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Kohavi|first=Shaul|date=January 2019|title=משפחת שטרנגסט והרמטכ"ל "הקרקובאי" הראשון|trans-title=The שטרנגסט family and the first "Kraków" chief of staff|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T0tHgk4uBJ3TLWx-Jgf54f8rbkVo7Ced/view|journal=Nowiny Krakowskie|volume=|pages=2–3}}</ref>
He grew up in Kiryat Bialik in the Haifa District, and was a member of the HaMahanot HaOlim Labour Zionist youth movement. He studied at the Habonim school and ORT Kiryat Bialik school.
Kohavi has a bachelor's degree in philosophy from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, a master's degree in public administration from Harvard University and a master's degree in international relations from Johns Hopkins University.<ref>Judah Ari Gross, [https://www.timesofisrael.com/liberman-names-pick-for-next-idf-chief-maj-gen-aviv-kochavi/ Liberman names pick for next IDF chief: Maj. Gen. Aviv Kohavi], The Times of Israel, 26 October 2018</ref>
==Military career== Kohavi was drafted into the IDF in 1982. He volunteered as a paratrooper in the Paratroopers Brigade and was placed in the 890th Battalion.<ref>{{Cite web|first=|date=24 April 2005|title=דרך כוכבו|url=https://www.makorrishon.co.il/nrg/online/1/ART/924/733.html|access-date=31 May 2021|website=nrg}}</ref> He served as a soldier and a squad leader. In 1985 he became an infantry officer after completing Officer Candidate School and returned to the Paratroopers Brigade as a platoon leader. During his career Kohavi led the Brigade's Anti-tank company.<ref>Gal Perl Finkel, [https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/IDF-promotes-officers-who-think-outside-the-box-but-still-follow-the-line-560286 IDF promotes officers who think outside the box, but still follow the line], The Jerusalem Post, 18 June 2018.</ref>
Between 1993 and 1994, he led the 101st "Peten" (Elapidae) paratroop battalion in counter-guerrilla operations in South Lebanon. Afterwards he commanded a Regional Brigade in South Lebanon and a reserve Paratrooper Brigade.<ref>{{Cite web|date=26 June 2018|title=האביב הגיע מוקדם השנה|url=https://www.davar1.co.il/155343/|access-date=31 May 2021|website=דבר העובדים בארץ ישראל|language=he-IL}}</ref> Later he commanded the training base of the brigade, was deputy commander of the brigade and commander of the reservist paratrooper 551 brigade.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=רא"ל אביב כוכבי - קורות חיים|url=https://www.idf.il/%D7%A8%D7%90%D7%A9%D7%99-%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%98%D7%94-%D7%94%D7%9B%D7%9C%D7%9C%D7%99/%D7%94%D7%A8%D7%9E%D7%98%D7%9B%D7%9C-%D7%94-22/%D7%A7%D7%95%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%97%D7%99%D7%99%D7%9D/|access-date=31 May 2021|website=www.idf.il}}</ref>
=== Commander of the Paratroopers Brigade === [[File:USEUCOM Commander meets with Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi (39812).jpeg|left|thumb|222x222px|Lt. Gen. Aviv Kohavi with Supreme Allied Commander Europe Gen. Tod D. Wolters.]] In 2001, Kohavi was appointed commander of the Paratroopers Brigade, a position he held until 2003. Together with a group of other commanders from the field units, including Moshe Tamir, Yair Golan, Gal Hirsch and Noam Tibon, he was one of the pushers to act against the sources of Palestinian militancy during the Second Intifada in the kasbahs and refugee camps, despite being crowded and complicated urban areas, and despite the hesitations of the IDF senior command. He successfully led the brigade in a takeover of the Balata refugee camp in Nablus in February 2002.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Buchbot|first=Amir|date=21 April 2006|title=משימת חייו של תת-אלוף אביב כוכבי|url=https://www.makorrishon.co.il/nrg/online/1/ART1/076/002.html|url-status=live|access-date=31 May 2021|website=nrg|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602215241/https://www.makorrishon.co.il/nrg/online/1/ART1/076/002.html |archive-date=2 June 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Wilkinson|first=Tracy|date=1 March 2002|title=Israeli Forces Storm Into 2 Palestinian Refugee Camps|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-mar-01-mn-30457-story.html|access-date=31 May 2021|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref>
He then led the brigade in Operation Defensive Shield,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kohavi|url=https://mfa.gov.il/MFA/AboutIsrael/State/Personalities/Pages/Aviv-Kochavi.aspx|access-date=31 May 2021|website=Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs}}</ref> and in other operations throughout the West Bank against Palestinian militant infrastructure, among them, the conquest of Bethlehem and the imposition of a siege on the Church of the Nativity, in which fifty armed wanted men fortified themselves, held about 200 hostages and waged gun battles against the IDF.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Buchbot|first=Amir|date=24 September 2010|title=כוכבי עולה: ראש אמ"ן הבא – לוחם ופילוסוף|url=https://www.makorrishon.co.il/nrg/online/1/ART2/159/709.html|url-status=live|access-date=31 May 2021|website=nrg|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181229075622/https://www.makorrishon.co.il/nrg/online/1/ART2/159/709.html |archive-date=29 December 2018 }}</ref>
In 2002 during the Second Intifada while on the battlefield, Kohavi developed the use of a 5 kg hammer to break down walls and cross through homes in refugee camps to prevent his soldiers from being shot by snipers. This tactic has been copied by other armies, including the United States military.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Arutz Sheva Staff|date=26 October 2018|title=Who is Major General Aviv Kohavi?|url=https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/253822|url-status=live|access-date=4 September 2021|website=Israel National News|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027061521/https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/253822 |archive-date=27 October 2018 }}</ref>
=== Brigadier general roles === [[File:Reuven Rivlin hosts a meeting to mark the 20th anniversary of Atidim in the IDF, December 2020 (GPOMN3 7138).jpg|thumb|304x304px|Kohavi with President Reuven Rivlin in 2020, to mark the anniversary of Atidim. In the background is an Israeli relief made of basalt ash.]] In 2003, Kohavi was promoted to the rank of brigadier general and appointed commander of the 98th Paratroopers Division, and served until November 2004. On 30 November 2004, he was appointed commander of the Gaza Division,<ref>Gal Perl Finkel, [https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Changing-the-rules-in-the-Gaza-Strip-comes-with-a-cost-569318 Changing the rules in the Gaza Strip comes with a cost], The Jerusalem Post, 13 October 2018.</ref> and led the division in operations against Qassam rocket launches and Palestinian militants infrastructure in the Gaza Strip,<ref name=":2" /> including Operation Summer Rains.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=March 2020|title=מלחמות לוקחות זמן שלישראל אין|url=http://maarachot.idf.il/PDF/FILES/9/114499.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406165649/http://maarachot.idf.il/PDF/FILES/9/114499.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 April 2020|journal=Maarachot|volume=487|pages=19}}</ref> During his service as division commander, two significant events occurred: the disengagement plan in September 2005 and the abduction of Gilad Shalit in June 2006.<ref name=":3" />
In 2007, he was appointed head of the Operations Division of the IDF's Operations Directorate, a position he held until January 2010, during which time he participated in the planning of Operation Cast Lead. After that, he served as a project manager in the Planning Directorate.
=== Major general roles === Kohavi received the role of the chief of the Israeli Military Intelligence Directorate on 22 November 2010.<ref>Gal Perl Finkel, [https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Between-fire-and-maneuver-or-a-combination-of-the-two-566727 Between fire and maneuver, or a combination of the two], The Jerusalem Post, 6 September 2018.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=9 December 2010|title=New Leadership for Israeli Intelligence: Performance Indicators and Directions|url=https://www.ecssr.ae/en/reports_analysis/new-leadership-for-israeli-intelligence-performance-indicators-and-directions/|access-date=4 June 2021|website=Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Buchbot|first=Amir|date=22 November 2010|title=אמ"ן בידיו: כוכבי יקבל היום פיקוד על המודיעין|url=https://www.makorrishon.co.il/nrg/online/1/ART2/180/622.html|url-status=live|access-date=4 June 2021|website=nrg|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604164406/https://www.makorrishon.co.il/nrg/online/1/ART2/180/622.html |archive-date=4 June 2021 }}</ref> During his tenure, he took part in the planning of Operation Pillar of Defense, Operation Full Disclosure, Operation Brother's Keeper and Operation Protective Edge.
In November 2014 he was appointed as the commander of the Northern Command.<ref name=":1" /> During his tenure, the barrier against Hezbollah on the border with Lebanon was built, at the same time the command forces conducted activities to thwart militant infrastructure from Syrian territory, along with promoting a good neighborhood project called Operation Good Neighbor on the Syrian border.
On 11 May 2017, he was appointed as Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces.<ref name=":1" /> He served in this position until 13 December 2018.[[File:Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - IDF Chief of Staff Visits Southern Command.jpg|thumb|From right to left: Chief of Staff Benny Gantz, Commander of the Southern Command Tal Russo, and Chief of the Israeli Military Intelligence Directorate Aviv Kohavi]]
=== Chief of the General Staff === On 26 October 2018, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman recommended Kohavi's appointment as the 22nd IDF Chief of Staff, with the consent of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. On 25 November, the government approved his appointment. On 15 January 2019, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General and began his service as Chief of Staff.<ref>Gal Perl Finkel, [https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/The-IDF-that-Eisenkot-leaves-behind-is-ready-575993 The IDF that Eisenkot leaves behind is ready], The Jerusalem Post, 1 January 2019.</ref>
In November 2019 Kohavi commanded the IDF in Operation Black Belt, when it fought against the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), following the targeted killing of senior PIJ commander Baha Abu al-Ata in Gaza.<ref>Anna Ahronheim, [https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/IDF-Operation-Black-Belt-achieved-its-goals-611987 IDF: Operation Black Belt achieved its goals], The Jerusalem Post, 24 December 2019.</ref> He also led Israel's military during Operation Guardian of the Walls in May 2021.<ref>Lahav Harkov, [https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/netanyahu-not-everything-is-known-to-public-and-hamas-668761 Netanyahu, defense chiefs call operation ‘game-changing’ defeat of Hamas], The Jerusalem Post, 21 May 2021.</ref>
Later in May, Defense Minister Benny Gantz announced that he will request from the government to approve extending his tenure as IDF Chief of Staff by an additional year.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ben Kimon|first=Elisha|date=27 May 2021|title=Gantz to extend Kohavi's tenure as IDF chief by an additional year|url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rk0agE6tO|access-date=28 May 2021|website=ynetnews|language=en}}</ref> In July, the government approved the extension of term.<ref>{{Cite web|date=20 June 2021|title=Government Approves Extension of IDF Chief-of-Staff Kohavi's Term for a Fourth Year|url=https://www.gov.il/en/departments/news/spoke_joint200621|url-status=live|access-date=23 July 2021|website=Prime Minister's Office News|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620112726/https://www.gov.il/en/departments/news/spoke_joint200621 |archive-date=20 June 2021 }}</ref> In August 2022, Kohavi led Israeli forces during Operation Breaking Dawn.<ref>Yaakov Lappin, [https://www.jns.org/idf-chief-kochavi-our-goal-is-to-mortally-wound-palestinian-islamic-jihad/ IDF chief Kochavi: Our goal is to ‘mortally wound’ Islamic Jihad], Jewish News Syndicate, 6 August 2022.</ref> On 16 January 2023, Kohavi handed over his role to Herzi Halevi and officially finished his active military service.<ref>{{cite news |last=Fabian |first=Emanuel |title=Herzi Halevi becomes IDF's 23rd chief of staff in handover ceremony |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/herzi-halevi-becomes-idfs-23rd-chief-of-staff-in-handover-ceremony/ |access-date=16 January 2023 |website=The Times of Israel |language=en-US |issn=0040-7909}}</ref>
==Personal life== Kohavi is vegetarian,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Jerusalem Post Staff|date=15 January 2019|title=Kochavi is IDF's first vegetarian chief of staff|url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/sir-would-you-like-tofu-with-that-577518|url-status=live|access-date=4 September 2021|website=The Jerusalem Post|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116022009/https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Sir-would-you-like-tofu-with-that-577518 |archive-date=16 January 2019 }}</ref> is married and is the father of three daughters. He lives in Adi in northern Israel.
Kohavi's brother is Zohar Kohavi, Head of Research at the left-wing "think tank" Zulat for Equality and Human Rights Institute.
==Awards and decorations== Aviv Kohavi was awarded three campaign ribbons for his service during three conflicts. {| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |105px |105px |105px |} {| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |- |Second Lebanon War |South Lebanon Security Zone |Operation Protective Edge |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/1511727/Israeli-army-officer-cancels-UK-trip-to-avoid-war-charges.html Israeli army officer cancels UK trip to avoid war charges], The Daily Telegraph * [https://www.idf.il/media/18519/masei-aman-article.pdf "Ma'asei Aman": Permanent Change in a Changing Reality] * Aviv Kohavi, [https://www.idf.il/en/minisites/dado-center/research/to-be-a-military-leader-major-general-kochavi/ To Be a Military Leader], The Dado Center for Interdisciplinary Military Studies, 22 June 2022 {{Chiefs of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces}} {{Heads of Aman}} {{Deputy Chiefs of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces}} {{IsraelNorthernCommandChiefs}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kohavi, Aviv}} Category:1964 births Category:Living people Category:Directors of the Military Intelligence Directorate (Israel) Category:Hebrew University of Jerusalem alumni Category:Israeli generals Category:People from Kiryat Bialik Category:Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies alumni Category:Harvard Kennedy School alumni Category:Jewish Israeli military personnel Category:Israeli people of Polish-Jewish descent Category:Israeli people of Russian-Jewish descent