Defense Minister Israel Katz appoints Adv. Itai Ofir as new MAG, vowing to restore integrity and protect IDF soldiers from defamation.
In a decisive move to restore integrity and public confidence in Israel’s military justice system, Defense Minister Israel Katz announced the appointment of Adv. Itai Ofir as the new Military Advocate General (MAG), replacing Attorney Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, who was recently dismissed amid a deepening scandal that rocked the upper echelons of the IDF’s legal establishment.
The announcement marks a major turning point following weeks of turmoil in the Sde Teiman affair, which exposed alleged misconduct and political manipulation within the military prosecution.
“A Clean Hand, a Clear Conscience” – Katz’s Call for Reform
In his statement, Katz underscored the urgency and symbolism of the appointment:
“It is of great importance, in light of the serious facts being revealed, to immediately appoint a Military Advocate General from outside the prosecution system — one who is impartial and fully qualified for the role.”
He emphasized that Ofir’s appointment was designed to “clean up, restore, and strengthen” the IDF’s judicial arm, while reaffirming the sacred duty of the State to defend its defenders — the soldiers on the front lines.
“Adv. Ofir will act according to principled values — first and foremost, the protection of IDF soldiers who fight heroically under difficult and complex conditions,” Katz declared. “He will not initiate or participate in blood libels that defame our soldiers or expose them to persecution around the world.”
Defending Those Who Defend Israel
Minister Katz reaffirmed his personal commitment to every IDF soldier and their families:
“As Minister of Defense, I bear full responsibility toward the families of those who serve — to preserve the safety, dignity, and standing of their loved ones, the soldiers of the IDF. So shall we do.”
The tone was unmistakable — a promise to end the era of internal witch hunts that had left many IDF officers feeling vulnerable to politically motivated legal assaults.
Who Is Itai Ofir? The Man Tasked with Reforming the MAG Corps
Adv. Itai Ofir, 47, brings an impressive blend of combat experience, academic excellence, and legal professionalism. A former Givati Brigade soldier who continues to serve in the reserves with the Negev Brigade, Ofir is viewed as a figure who bridges the gap between the battlefield and the courtroom.
Ofir served as legal advisor to the defense establishment from 2017 to 2024 and previously worked in both the Israeli and American private sectors, where he was a senior partner in a Tel Aviv law firm.
Academically, Ofir’s credentials are unmatched — he holds a law degree and MBA from Bar-Ilan University, as well as two additional law degrees from Harvard University. In 2022, he was among the top three finalists recommended by former Supreme Court President Asher Grunis’s search committee for the post of Attorney General.
Support from Across the National Camp
Ofir’s appointment drew immediate praise from senior members of Israel’s leadership.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a member of the Political-Security Cabinet, called the decision “historic and vital”:
“There is no one more worthy and suitable to heal the military prosecution system than Adv. Itai Ofir. A soldier, a reservist, and a man of Zionist backbone — he is precisely the professional Israel needs. This appointment will lead to the necessary correction of the system.”
Immigration and Absorption Minister Ofir Sofer echoed the sentiment, saying:
“Attorney Itai Ofir faces many challenges in repairing a system tarnished by scandal. His battlefield experience will ensure the prosecution truly serves Israel’s defenders. I wish him great success in this essential mission.”
Restoring Honor to Israel’s Soldiers
Ofir’s appointment comes at a time when public trust in the military prosecution has been shaken, following revelations that internal leaks and politically charged investigations had targeted IDF personnel unfairly.
His mandate is clear — to restore transparency, defend IDF soldiers’ honor, and realign the MAG Corps with its founding purpose: to serve justice without compromising Israel’s security or the dignity of its warriors.
With his legal rigor and combat-tested spirit, Adv. Itai Ofir represents the new face of military justice — one determined to ensure that those who protect Israel are themselves protected, respected, and vindicated.In a decisive move to restore integrity and public confidence in Israel’s military justice system, Defense Minister Israel Katz announced the appointment of Adv. Itai Ofir as the new Military Advocate General (MAG), replacing Attorney Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, who was recently dismissed amid a deepening scandal that rocked the upper echelons of the IDF’s legal establishment.
The announcement marks a major turning point following weeks of turmoil in the Sde Teiman affair, which exposed alleged misconduct and political manipulation within the military prosecution.
“A Clean Hand, a Clear Conscience” – Katz’s Call for Reform
In his statement, Katz underscored the urgency and symbolism of the appointment:
“It is of great importance, in light of the serious facts being revealed, to immediately appoint a Military Advocate General from outside the prosecution system — one who is impartial and fully qualified for the role.”
He emphasized that Ofir’s appointment was designed to “clean up, restore, and strengthen” the IDF’s judicial arm, while reaffirming the sacred duty of the State to defend its defenders — the soldiers on the front lines.
“Adv. Ofir will act according to principled values — first and foremost, the protection of IDF soldiers who fight heroically under difficult and complex conditions,” Katz declared. “He will not initiate or participate in blood libels that defame our soldiers or expose them to persecution around the world.”
Defending Those Who Defend Israel
Minister Katz reaffirmed his personal commitment to every IDF soldier and their families:
“As Minister of Defense, I bear full responsibility toward the families of those who serve — to preserve the safety, dignity, and standing of their loved ones, the soldiers of the IDF. So shall we do.”
The tone was unmistakable — a promise to end the era of internal witch hunts that had left many IDF officers feeling vulnerable to politically motivated legal assaults.
Who Is Itai Ofir? The Man Tasked with Reforming the MAG Corps
Adv. Itai Ofir, 47, brings an impressive blend of combat experience, academic excellence, and legal professionalism. A former Givati Brigade soldier who continues to serve in the reserves with the Negev Brigade, Ofir is viewed as a figure who bridges the gap between the battlefield and the courtroom.
Ofir served as legal advisor to the defense establishment from 2017 to 2024 and previously worked in both the Israeli and American private sectors, where he was a senior partner in a Tel Aviv law firm.
Academically, Ofir’s credentials are unmatched — he holds a law degree and MBA from Bar-Ilan University, as well as two additional law degrees from Harvard University. In 2022, he was among the top three finalists recommended by former Supreme Court President Asher Grunis’s search committee for the post of Attorney General.
Support from Across the National Camp
Ofir’s appointment drew immediate praise from senior members of Israel’s leadership.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a member of the Political-Security Cabinet, called the decision “historic and vital”:
“There is no one more worthy and suitable to heal the military prosecution system than Adv. Itai Ofir. A soldier, a reservist, and a man of Zionist backbone — he is precisely the professional Israel needs. This appointment will lead to the necessary correction of the system.”
Immigration and Absorption Minister Ofir Sofer echoed the sentiment, saying:
“Attorney Itai Ofir faces many challenges in repairing a system tarnished by scandal. His battlefield experience will ensure the prosecution truly serves Israel’s defenders. I wish him great success in this essential mission.”
Restoring Honor to Israel’s Soldiers
Ofir’s appointment comes at a time when public trust in the military prosecution has been shaken, following revelations that internal leaks and politically charged investigations had targeted IDF personnel unfairly.
His mandate is clear — to restore transparency, defend IDF soldiers’ honor, and realign the MAG Corps with its founding purpose: to serve justice without compromising Israel’s security or the dignity of its warriors.
With his legal rigor and combat-tested spirit, Adv. Itai Ofir represents the new face of military justice — one determined to ensure that those who protect Israel are themselves protected, respected, and vindicated.
