IDF Chief Hails ‘Rising Lion’ Success, Urges Graduating Pilots to Uphold Legacy of Courage
In a powerful address at the graduation ceremony of the 190th Israeli Air Force (IAF) Pilots’ Course on Thursday, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir reflected on the triumph and responsibility carried by Israel’s newest airmen, honoring their achievement amid one of the most demanding chapters in the nation’s history.
Delivering his remarks before President Isaac Herzog, Defense Minister Israel Katz, IAF Commander Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, and senior military officials, Lt. Gen. Zamir praised the recently concluded Operation Rising Lion as a milestone that showcased the very spirit of Israel’s defense forces. “This operation was not merely a military action—it was a testament to boldness, wisdom, and a steadfast belief in the justice of our cause,” he declared.
He emphasized that the operation’s overwhelming success did not happen overnight but was forged through months of rigorous preparation, seamless interagency collaboration, and a shared sense of purpose among all IDF branches. “When belief is matched by ability, boundaries dissolve. In Rising Lion, we didn’t just meet expectations—we soared beyond imagination,” Zamir affirmed.
The Chief of Staff made a point to highlight the critical synergy between the Air Force, Mossad, Cyber Defense units, logistics corps, and the IDF’s technological command. “There was no hierarchy, no silos—just one unified mission,” he said.
Turning directly to IAF Commander Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, Lt. Gen. Zamir offered personal praise: “You forged capabilities that redefined our strategic reach. Your leadership will be etched into the annals of Israel’s military history.”
Acknowledging the broader conflict still unfolding, Zamir reiterated the IDF’s unshakable commitment to Operation Gideon’s Chariots, the ongoing ground campaign in Gaza aimed at dismantling Hamas and securing the release of hostages. “We are fighting on multiple fronts, and we will persist—relentlessly—until our objectives are achieved,” he vowed.
Referencing the terror attack in Gush Etzion earlier that day, the Chief of Staff condemned the violence and assured the public that the IDF would hunt down its enemies wherever they may hide.
Addressing the graduates—Israel’s future defenders in the skies—Lt. Gen. Zamir challenged them to embody the virtues of excellence, discipline, and moral clarity. “True courage is not the absence of fear—it is the decision to act in spite of it,” he said.
Quoting iconic Israeli songwriter Naomi Shemer, he concluded with a message of hope and expectation: “You are about to write new chapters of heroism in the skies of our region. Go forth, and succeed—for the people of Israel are counting on you.”
