BICOM

Brig.-Gen. Orna Barbivai, 49, will make history in the IDF next week when she becomes the first ever female major-general, the second highest rank in the IDF. Barbivai is the deputy head of the army’s Human Resources Directorate and will replace the current head Maj-Gen Avi Zamir who is retiring. Barbivai enlisted in the army in 1981 and has served in various positions in the directorate.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt-Gen Benny Gantz recommended the appointment to Defence Minister Ehud Barak who has approved the promotion. Opposition leader Tzipi Livni praised Gantz for the decision to appoint Barbivai. ‘There is no rank that is too heavy for a woman’s shoulders, and there is no doubt that Brig.-Gen. Barbivai was appointed because of her talents,’ Livni said. In the past, females have served on the General Staff, but only in the position of spokesperson that holds the rank of brigadier-general.