MG (Ret.) Dan Harel, Former Vice Chief of General Staff, IDF, Pt 1
In the Israel Defense Forces, rare is the combat officer who rises through the ranks to reach Major General without having led troops in either Infantry (preferably Paratroopers), Armor or Commando units. Dan Harel is such an exception. Starting out as an Air Force Cadet, he quickly climbed the ladder as an Artillery Officer, then checked out as an Armored Division Commanding General, finally earning himself the rank of Major General as the General Staff’s Operations Chief.
In that position he coordinated the Military’s actions during Operation Defensive Shield against Palestinian terror, then went on to head the Southern Command, where he was in charge of the complex withdrawal operation from Gaza. Expecting to get some respite in Washington as Defense Attaché, he was instead called back home to be the No. 2 of a new Chief of Staff, in essence the Chief Operating Officer of the IDF. After 2 years, Harel insisted on leaving this position, and declined the chance to compete for the coveted top job of Ramatkal.
During retirement he has upheld his reputation as an effective, straight-arrow manager in the Civilian Sector, running the Transportation Ministry, the Railway System and - back to the IDF, but from another angle - the Defense Ministry.
TV7 Israel Watchmen Talk
“I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, [which] shall never hold their peace day nor night” (Isaiah 62:6)
They are the men and women who have stood guard over Israel. When their countrymen slept, these Watchmen could be counted on to fight for Israel and its capital, Jerusalem, on its numerous fronts. Now, one by one, they are coming to TV7’s Jerusalem studio for in-depth interviews by TV7 Analyst and Host Amir Oren, a veteran observer of the Israeli - and global - defense and government scenes.
They will share their stories, insights and some revelations in a way sure to enlighten our viewers who are encouraged to keep these topics in prayer ~ Psalm 122.
