Bio
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Amir Eshel served as Commander of the Israeli Air Force (2012–2017) and as Director General of the Ministry of Defense (2020–2023). During his IDF career, he served as Head of the Planning Directorate, commanded Squadrons 110 and 201 as well as the Tel Nof and Ramon Air Force Bases, and led a series of operational and strategic initiatives.
Eshel holds a BA from Auburn University (Alabama, USA) and an MA in Political Science from the University of Haifa. Upon his retirement from the IDF, he received the Legion of Merit from the U.S. (2017). Defense Department. He is also a recipient of Germany’s Bundeswehr Gold Cross of Honor (2016).
During his tenure as Director General of the Ministry of Defense, many deals were signed to strengthen the IDF's capabilities. In the security and political fields, strategic defense agreements were signed with the U.S. and countries in the Middle East. The project to transfer the Intelligence Directorate to the Negev was approved and launched. Israel's defense exports increased significantly. In addition, the "One Soul" reform was formulated and implemented to improve the treatment of wounded soldiers.