Shai Klapper
Shai Klapper | |
|---|---|
Klapper in 2018 | |
| Native name | שי קלפר |
| Born | 8 January 1976 Kfar Saba, Israel |
| Allegiance | Israel |
| Branch | Israel Defense Forces |
| Service years | 1996–present |
| Rank | Aluf (Major General) |
| Conflicts | |
| Awards | Divisional Commander Citation |
| Alma mater |
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Shai Klapper (Hebrew: שי קלפר; born 8 January 1976) is an Israeli aluf who has served as commander of the Home Front Command of the Israel Defense Forces since 2025. Klapper served as commander of the Golani Brigade from 2018 until 2020, when he was replaced in the role by Barak Hiram.
Early life and education
Shai Klapper was born on 8 January 1976 in Kfar Saba, Israel. He grew up in Sha'arei Tikva, an Israeli settlement in the West Bank. He attended the Yeshiva at Shavei Hevron,[1] Bar-Ilan University, and the United States Army War College.[2]
Career
Golani Brigade
In 2005, Klapper was appointed as commander of the Golani Resistance Unit within the Golani Brigade until the end of the 2006 Lebanon War, later becoming deputy commander of the Brigade.[3] After serving in a variety of other roles in the Israel Defense Forces, Klapper was appointed as commander of the Brigade in 2018.[4] He was replaced in the role in 2020 by Barak Hiram.[5]
Home Front Command
In July 2025, it was announced that Klapper would replace aluf Rafi Milo as commander of the Home Front Command, with Milo being appointed as the commander of the Northern Command.[6][7]
In February 2026, immediately prior to the 2026 Iran conflict, Klapper said that the National Rescue Unit had been placed on "full alert," with the Home Front Command shifting to a state of "immediate readiness" for conflict according to JFeed.[8] Klapper addressed the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee of the Knesset on 18 February, with Klapper telling the committee that "the Home Front Command will be a central arena in relevant operational scenarios and is a significant component of Israeli society's resilience and ability to save lives."[9][10] On 2 March, the Home Front Command under Klapper mobilized approximately 20,000 reservists.[11] In a situation assessment, Klapper told senior officials that Israel "entered this campaign with advance preparation and high readiness. The Israeli home front is strong and experienced, and the readiness and resilience impact the IDF's performance deep in enemy territory."[12]
References
- ^ Sones, Mordecai (7 August 2017). "New Commander of Golani Brigade: Colonel Shai Klapper". Arutz Sheva. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Army War College Foundation and Alumni News, Spring 2018. Accessed 2 March 2026.
- ^ Sones, Mordechai. "New Commander of Golani Brigade: Colonel Shai Klapper". Israel National News. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Shlomi Binder to enter new role on August 1". The Jerusalem Post. 22 July 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
The IDF ceremony for the new commander of the Golani Brigade Shai Klapper, who will replace outgoing commander Col. Shlomi Binder. May 24, 2018.
- ^ זיתון, יואב (16 September 2019). "איבד עין בלבנון: זה המפקד החדש של חטיבת גולני" [Lost an Eye in Lebanon: This is the new commander of the Golani Brigade]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 24 December 2023.
- ^ "IDF: Major General Shai Klapper assumes position of Home Front Command chief". Ynetglobal. 25 July 2025. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ Fabian, Emanuel (13 August 2025). "At Northern Command handover ceremony, generals say enemy will never again be allowed to entrench themselves on border". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ Kleinbaum, Yair (23 February 2026). "Israel's Bracing for Impact: Home Front Command Readies for Iranian Fall". JFeed. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Baruch, Hezki. "Home Front Command on high alert due to tensions with Iran". Israel National News. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Harkov, Lahav (18 February 2026). "Israel 'will be a central arena' of potential U.S.-Iran conflict, IDF general says". Jewish Insider. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "IDF Home Front Command mobilizes 20,000 reservists". JNS.org. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Kimon, Elisha Ben (28 February 2026). "Home Front Command chief: 'We entered this campaign with high readiness'". Ynetglobal. Retrieved 3 March 2026.