Israel’s new Chief of Staff, Yitzhak Rabin, took formal command of the country’s armed forces today in ceremonies at the Prime Minister’s Office here during which he was also promoted to the rank of Major General. He succeeds Maj. Gen. Zvi Tzur, who resigned to engage in study abroad and subsequently to take up a civilian post.
After the installation ceremonies, the new Chief of Staff was received by President Zalman Shazar, and left for the Staff Headquarters, where military takeover ceremonies were held.
In his first order of the day, Maj. Gen. Rabin stressed the need for increased alertness on the part of Israel’s Defense Forces, and for more preparedness and training so that they could continue to be a deterrent force capable of striking back deep into enemy territory if attacked. Special parades were held at all army installations to mark the event.
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