ASHKENAZI, GABI

(1954- )

   Born in Moshav Khagour, Ashkenazi joined the Israel Defense Forces's (IDF) elite Golani Brigade in 1972 and headed it between 1986 and 1988. He holds a B.A. in political science. Ashkenazi served as deputy chief of the staff of the IDF from 2003 to 2005 but left the IDF when he was not chosen as chief of staff in 2005. He became director general of the Ministry of Defense in July 2006. Israel's cabinet approved his appointment as 19th chief of staff of the IDF on 4 February 2007. Ashkenazi succeeded Dan Halutz, who resigned amid the controversy surrounding the IDF's conduct of the Second Lebanon War (2006).