Defense Minister Katz Appoints Attorney Itai Ofir as New Military Advocate General

Defense Minister Israel Katz announced this afternoon the appointment of attorney Itai Ofir as Israel’s new Military Advocate General (MAG), replacing Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, who resigned under pressure amid the Sde Teiman leak affair.

Katz said the decision was made “in light of the grave facts being revealed” and emphasized the need to immediately install a figure from outside the military prosecution system “untainted by any suspicion.”.

“It is vital at this time to appoint a MAG from outside the prosecution system—someone unconnected to the current suspicions and capable of cleansing, rebuilding, and reorganizing the military prosecution on principles centered on defending IDF soldiers,” Katz said. “Certainly not to initiate or take part in blood libels that defame IDF soldiers and expose them to persecution worldwide.”

Katz added that as defense minister he bears responsibility “toward the families of the servicemen and women to ensure their safety, dignity, and status,” and pledged to ensure that “every system charged with that duty will uphold it faithfully.”

According to the Defense Ministry, Ofir’s appointment was based on his legal experience and prior service both inside and outside the security establishment. Ofir served as the Defense Ministry’s legal adviser between 2017 and 2024, following years in private practice in Israel and the U.S. He holds law and business degrees from Bar-Ilan University and a master’s in law from Harvard, and previously served as a combat officer in the Givati Brigade and a reservist in the Negev Brigade.

Although Katz’s announcement did not mention any role by IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, military officials clarified that Ofir’s candidacy had in fact been among those proposed by Zamir, who also supported the choice. An IDF spokesperson later stated:

“The Chief of Staff congratulates attorney Itai Ofir on his appointment as Military Advocate General. Ofir was the Chief of Staff’s leading candidate for the role. The Chief of Staff sees great importance in appointing a MAG who comes from the ranks of IDF combat officers, with rich legal experience and a deep understanding of the challenges of warfare and law alike. He will continue working to stabilize the military prosecution and to ensure the defense of IDF soldiers.”

Sources confirmed that while Zamir was not mentioned in Katz’s statement, the decision was ultimately mutual. Ofir and Zamir are said to have a long-standing professional relationship from their previous tenure in the Defense Ministry, when Zamir served as director-general.

Finance Minister and Security Cabinet member Bezalel Smotrich praised the move, calling it “an excellent appointment by the defense minister.”

“No one is more worthy to rehabilitate the military prosecution system than attorney Itai Ofir,” Smotrich said. “A combat officer, a man of values, a true Zionist professional of the highest order. I’m confident this appointment will lead the system’s long-needed reform. Good luck, Itai.”

Ofir is expected to formally assume his new role as an IDF major general once the appointment is approved by the government in the coming days.