Maj Gen Herzi Halevi is due to take up his new position in February next year. Photo: Israeli Defence Force
Maj Gen Herzi Halevi is due to take up his new position in February next year. Photo: Israeli Defence Force
Maj Gen Herzi Halevi is due to take up his new position in February next year. Photo: Israeli Defence Force
Maj Gen Herzi Halevi is due to take up his new position in February next year. Photo: Israeli Defence Force

Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz nominates Maj Gen Herzi Halevi as next army chief


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Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz has nominated Maj Gen Herzi Halevi as the country's next army chief.

Maj Gen Halevi currently serves as deputy to outgoing Chief of General Staff Lt Gen Aviv Kohavi.

The nomination is to be discussed by an advisory committee in the coming days before the government gives its approval, Mr Gantz's office said on Sunday.

Maj Gen Halevi is due to take up his new position in February next year, the Defence Ministry told AFP, after Lt Gen Kohavi's term ends.

Mr Gantz called Maj Gen Halevi "the most suitable officer" for the position owing to his "extensive operational experience in a variety of theatres of operation" and his "commanding abilities and attitude to various military issues".

Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz has called Maj Gen Herzi Halevi 'the most suitable officer' to become the country's next army chief. AP
Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz has called Maj Gen Herzi Halevi 'the most suitable officer' to become the country's next army chief. AP

Prime Minister Yair Lapid welcomed the decision to nominate Maj Gen Halevi, whom he called "a worthy and natural choice".

"I am certain that he will lead the IDF [Israeli Defence Force] to many significant achievements," Mr Lapid said.

Born in Jerusalem in 1967 to a religious family, Maj Gen Halevi was enlisted in 1985 as a paratrooper and advanced in various command positions before joining the elite Sayeret Matkal commando unit in 1993, the Israeli army's website said.

He served as commander of the unit for three years from 2001 and then continued to climb the ranks, becoming head of military intelligence in 2014 and head of the southern command in 2018, the army said.

Maj Gen Halevi has degrees in philosophy and business management from the Hebrew University and a master's degree in resource management from National Defence University in Washington, the army website said.

Maj Gen Halevi is married with four children and lives in Kfar Haoranim, a community that is partially a settlement in the occupied West Bank.

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1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

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Updated: September 05, 2022, 6:33 AM