Former IDF spokesman to become head of COGAT

Former Israel Defense Forces Spokesman Brig. Gen. Yoav (Poly) Mordechai will be the next head of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories unit, replacing Maj. Gen. Eitan Dangot, who has led COGAT for the past four years. Mordechai will also be promoted to the rank of major-general.

Defense Minister Moshe (Bogie) Ya'alon made the decision on Wednesday, based on the recommendation of IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz.

After the decision was announced on Wednesday, Mordechai received numerous congratulatory calls from Jewish and Arab officials in Judea and Samaria.

Mordechai was the head of the IDF Spokesperson's Unit from April 2011 to October 2013. Prior to that, Mordechai led the Civil Administration in Judea and Samaria. He also has experience as the chief of the Gaza District Coordination Office and the head of security coordination in Jericho. Additionally, Mordechai has served in a variety of operational roles in the Intelligence Directorate.

"Brig. Gen. Yoav (Poly) Mordechai brings vast experience to the COGAT job," Ya'alon said. "Poly has the ability, commonsense, wisdom, and extensive knowledge of the area to be an optimal head of COGAT. In his past two roles, as IDF spokesperson and head of the Civil Administration, Poly dealt with complex and sensitive issues ... and I'm confident that the experience he gained will help him in his new role."