[Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA: Amidror blasted a critic from Haaretz who
asserted that since Amidror was religious that he could not provide the 24/7
coverage his job requires as he would be out of touch during the Sabbath.
Amidror noted that he faithfully fulfilled 24/7 a long string of roles in
the IDF and that it was offensive and obnoxious to claim that Sabbath
observing Jews had no place at the top.]

PM Netanyahu to Appoint Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Yaakov Amidror as National Security
Council Chairman
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today (Wednesday), 9.3.11, decided to
appoint Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Yaakov Amidror as Chairman of the National Security
Council. He will take office after an orderly transition in coordination
with outgoing NSC Chairman Dr. Uzi Arad.

Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Amidror began his career in the IDF, in 1967, as a
paratrooper. He later filled a series of posts including Director of the
Intelligence Corps Research and Assessment Division, Military Secretary to
the Defense Minister and Commander of the IDF Military Colleges.

After his discharge from the IDF, he continued to contribute to state
security in a variety of roles including as a member of the Meridor
Committee on formulating Israel's security doctrine and chairman of the team
appointed by the Chief-of-Staff to inquire into intelligence operations
during the Second Lebanon War. He has recently served as Vice President of
the Lander Institute in Jerusalem.

Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Amidror has published two books in the field of
intelligence and security and numerous articles in both professional
journals and the press.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted that Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Amidror has
not hesitated to express his professional opinions and said that he
possesses vast military, strategic and security knowledge and experience.
"He will continue to lead the NSC as a main element in determining the
national security policy of the State of Israel," the Prime Minister said.

Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Amidror's appointment will be submitted for Cabinet
approval pending an evaluation by the Appointments Committee chaired by the
Civil Service Commissioner.