Tal Russo
Encyclopedia
Aluf
Tal Russo (born 1959) is a general in the Israel Defense Forces
and currently the commander of the Israel Defense Forces
Southern Command
(since October 21, 2010).
Russo was born in kibbutz
Hulata
in northern Israel and drafted into the IDF in 1978. He served in an elite unit until 1981 when he left as a unit commander, but Russo quickly returned in 1982 and commanded a company of special forces during the 1982 Lebanon War
. That same year he received his officer's ranks, and then continued to advance up the chain of command, spending much of his early career in special forces.
During the 2006 Lebanon War Russo served as the Assistant of the Head of the Operations Directorate in special missions. In October 2006 Chief of Staff Dan Halutz
recommended Russo to replace Operations Directorate head Gadi Eizenkot
, who had been promoted to head of Northern Command. Russo's promotion was subsequently approved by Defense Minister Amir Peretz
.
In October 2010, Russo was appointed as commander of the Southern Command.
During his career Russo earned a BA in political science
from the University of Haifa
and an MBA from the University of Tel Aviv.
Aluf
Aluf is the term used for General and Admiral in the Israel Defense Forces . In addition to the Aluf rank itself, there are four other ranks which are derivatives of the word...
Tal Russo (born 1959) is a general in the Israel Defense Forces
Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
and currently the commander of the Israel Defense Forces
Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
Southern Command
Israeli Southern Command
The Israeli Southern Command , often abbreviated to Padam is a regional command of the Israel Defense Forces. It is responsible for the Negev, the Arava, and Eilat. It is currently headed by Aluf Tal Russo.-History:...
(since October 21, 2010).
Russo was born in kibbutz
Kibbutz
A kibbutz is a collective community in Israel that was traditionally based on agriculture. Today, farming has been partly supplanted by other economic branches, including industrial plants and high-tech enterprises. Kibbutzim began as utopian communities, a combination of socialism and Zionism...
Hulata
Hulata
Hulata is a kibbutz in northern Israel. Located in the Hula Valley, it falls under the jurisdiction of Upper Galilee Regional Council. In 2006 it had a population of 372....
in northern Israel and drafted into the IDF in 1978. He served in an elite unit until 1981 when he left as a unit commander, but Russo quickly returned in 1982 and commanded a company of special forces during the 1982 Lebanon War
1982 Lebanon War
The 1982 Lebanon War , , called Operation Peace for Galilee by Israel, and later known in Israel as the Lebanon War and First Lebanon War, began on 6 June 1982, when the Israel Defense Forces invaded southern Lebanon...
. That same year he received his officer's ranks, and then continued to advance up the chain of command, spending much of his early career in special forces.
During the 2006 Lebanon War Russo served as the Assistant of the Head of the Operations Directorate in special missions. In October 2006 Chief of Staff Dan Halutz
Dan Halutz
' is an Israeli Air Force Lt. General and former Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces and commander of the Israeli Air Force. Halutz was appointed as Chief of Staff on June 1, 2005. On January 17, 2007 he announced his resignation. He has a degree in economics. He was born to a Mizrahi...
recommended Russo to replace Operations Directorate head Gadi Eizenkot
Gadi Eizenkot
Aluf Gadi Eizenkot is a Major-General in the Israel Defense Forces.After joining the IDF Eizenkot was assigned to the Golani Brigade, which he himself would eventually command from 1997-8. During that time he received a B.A...
, who had been promoted to head of Northern Command. Russo's promotion was subsequently approved by Defense Minister Amir Peretz
Amir Peretz
Amir Peretz is an Israeli politician and member of the Knesset for the Labour Party. He is a former Defense Minister of Israel and former leader of the Labour Party, having left those positions in June 2007....
.
In October 2010, Russo was appointed as commander of the Southern Command.
During his career Russo earned a BA in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
from the University of Haifa
University of Haifa
The University of Haifa is a university in Haifa, Israel.The University of Haifa was founded in 1963 by Haifa mayor Abba Hushi, to operate under the academic auspices of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem....
and an MBA from the University of Tel Aviv.