February 13, 2022
First Female President, Third Female Major General: The New President of the IDF’s Military Court of Appeals Has Been Appointed
Brigadier General Orli Markman has been promoted to the rank of Major General following her appointment as the new President of the IDF’s Military Court of Appeals. Major General Markman is the first female officer to hold this position. MG Markman replaces Major General Doron Piles, who has served in the position for the last five years. MG Piles will be completing his time in the IDF after 34 years of service. MG Markman is the third female IDF officer to receive the rank of Major General and the sixth female officer to sit on the General Staff in the history of the IDF.
A ceremony to mark the occasion was held today (Sunday) in Jerusalem at the residence of the President of Israel, Mr. Isaac Herzog. In attendance were the President of the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Esther Hayut, the Vice President of the Supreme Court, Justice Neal Hendel, the Minister of Defense, Mr. Benny Gantz, the Minister of Justice, Mr. Gideon Sa’ar, and the IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Aviv Kohavi. During the ceremony, Lieutenant Colonel Maya Goldschmidt received the rank of Colonel and was appointed as a judge to the Military Court of Appeals.
President of Israel, Mr. Isaac Herzog: “President of the Military Court of Appeals, Major General Orli Markman. You were able to reach this moment due to your being an impressive officer on every scale. You enter this position following a long and successful career as a prosecutor, defense attorney and judge. The right was yours to become the first woman appointed to lead the military courts. Your appointment sends an important message to the female soldiers and officers in the IDF and to women in general. Congratulations and good luck to you as well, Colonel Maya Goldschmidt, as you join the respected ranks of judges serving on the Military Court of Appeals.”
“Public trust in the law enforcement system, both military and civil, is a cornerstone of a democratic nation. We must maintain that trust no matter what. The military court system is a valuable asset not only to the IDF but to our country and society as a whole. Guard this responsibility and continue to ensure the courts as a place where all are equal that is steadfast in its faith to law and justice.”
Minister of Defense, Mr. Benny Gantz: “You were selected for these significant roles based solely on your experience, skills and professionalism. At the same time, the responsibility falls on your shoulders, and the shoulders of other senior female officers to set a personal example for all female soldiers so that we can continue hearing the echo of the glass ceiling shattering. This echo can be heard at military bases around the country, at the General Staff, and throughout various organizations.”
“At this time, the responsibility you’ve been given of presiding over the military courts are of critical importance in maintaining the IDF’s guiding values and principles. Sanctions are required for those who do not fulfil the norms and rules – but punishment is not the ultimate goal – far from it. Equally important is the learning process, along with the personal responsibility at the senior command level regarding the missions and manner of training of our soldiers. Only by picking at the wounds and examining ourselves can we protect the IDF.”
Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Aviv Kohavi: “Today we appoint two excellent officers to positions in which I have no doubt they will continue the tradition of excellence of the military justice system. We in the IDF demand our commanders lead on the IDF’s values without needing the signals of the justice system - of course, we need it and cannot function without our justice system, but it is values and norms that must lead, not law or regulation.”
“Our foundation is not only built on the virtue of our cause, but also on the virtue of our path. Our path, guided by our values, is the driving force behind our soldiers, commanders, and the Israel Defense Forces. We take every effort to abide by all norms. The justice system, in all its dimensions, helps us maintain the values and norms of the IDF and its driving force, the virtuous path. We do not see the law and justice system as the motivating force of the IDF. You do not need a court to tell you that leaving an 80-year-old in the cold during operational activity is wrong. That goes for an 80-year-old and the same for an 18-year-old. You need to use judgment, values, and moral thinking—you don’t need to rely on the law.”
“The responsibility to act in line with the principles and values of the Israel Defense Forces begins with the senior commander through the chain of command all the way to every soldier. We demand from our commanders to lead through strong moral principles, without the need for signals from the court system. Of course, we need the courts, but the responsibility to uphold the principles and values of the Israel Defense Forces is entrusted to us, the commanders of the IDF. Orli, you are an experienced, thorough and balanced officer. I place my trust in you. Doron, this is the opportunity for me to give you the appreciation you deserve and to say thank you.”
President of the Military Court of Appeals, Major General Orli Markman: “I am very proud to lead both of the judicial systems of the IDF, systems where human dignity is our guiding light. These professional, independent and outstanding systems are designed to carry out justice. These systems ensure a fair trial, the preservation of the rights of defendants and the accused, and the protection of the status and rights of victims of crime.”
“In the words of the first Prime Minister of the State of Israel, David Ben-Gurion, the main weapon of the army is its moral strength. The military courts’ independence, status, and the public trust in them are central pillars in law enforcement in the military and the implementation of our core values of human dignity, integrity, and fairness. I am committed to furthering and promoting the professionalism and outstanding work of these units. Thank you Doron for showing me a personal example of the right way to lead the units of the military courts and tribunals. I promise to preserve and strengthen the precious command you have given me.”
A ceremony to mark the occasion was held today (Sunday) in Jerusalem at the residence of the President of Israel, Mr. Isaac Herzog. In attendance were the President of the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Esther Hayut, the Vice President of the Supreme Court, Justice Neal Hendel, the Minister of Defense, Mr. Benny Gantz, the Minister of Justice, Mr. Gideon Sa’ar, and the IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Aviv Kohavi. During the ceremony, Lieutenant Colonel Maya Goldschmidt received the rank of Colonel and was appointed as a judge to the Military Court of Appeals.
President of Israel, Mr. Isaac Herzog: “President of the Military Court of Appeals, Major General Orli Markman. You were able to reach this moment due to your being an impressive officer on every scale. You enter this position following a long and successful career as a prosecutor, defense attorney and judge. The right was yours to become the first woman appointed to lead the military courts. Your appointment sends an important message to the female soldiers and officers in the IDF and to women in general. Congratulations and good luck to you as well, Colonel Maya Goldschmidt, as you join the respected ranks of judges serving on the Military Court of Appeals.”
“Public trust in the law enforcement system, both military and civil, is a cornerstone of a democratic nation. We must maintain that trust no matter what. The military court system is a valuable asset not only to the IDF but to our country and society as a whole. Guard this responsibility and continue to ensure the courts as a place where all are equal that is steadfast in its faith to law and justice.”
Minister of Defense, Mr. Benny Gantz: “You were selected for these significant roles based solely on your experience, skills and professionalism. At the same time, the responsibility falls on your shoulders, and the shoulders of other senior female officers to set a personal example for all female soldiers so that we can continue hearing the echo of the glass ceiling shattering. This echo can be heard at military bases around the country, at the General Staff, and throughout various organizations.”
“At this time, the responsibility you’ve been given of presiding over the military courts are of critical importance in maintaining the IDF’s guiding values and principles. Sanctions are required for those who do not fulfil the norms and rules – but punishment is not the ultimate goal – far from it. Equally important is the learning process, along with the personal responsibility at the senior command level regarding the missions and manner of training of our soldiers. Only by picking at the wounds and examining ourselves can we protect the IDF.”
Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Aviv Kohavi: “Today we appoint two excellent officers to positions in which I have no doubt they will continue the tradition of excellence of the military justice system. We in the IDF demand our commanders lead on the IDF’s values without needing the signals of the justice system - of course, we need it and cannot function without our justice system, but it is values and norms that must lead, not law or regulation.”
“Our foundation is not only built on the virtue of our cause, but also on the virtue of our path. Our path, guided by our values, is the driving force behind our soldiers, commanders, and the Israel Defense Forces. We take every effort to abide by all norms. The justice system, in all its dimensions, helps us maintain the values and norms of the IDF and its driving force, the virtuous path. We do not see the law and justice system as the motivating force of the IDF. You do not need a court to tell you that leaving an 80-year-old in the cold during operational activity is wrong. That goes for an 80-year-old and the same for an 18-year-old. You need to use judgment, values, and moral thinking—you don’t need to rely on the law.”
“The responsibility to act in line with the principles and values of the Israel Defense Forces begins with the senior commander through the chain of command all the way to every soldier. We demand from our commanders to lead through strong moral principles, without the need for signals from the court system. Of course, we need the courts, but the responsibility to uphold the principles and values of the Israel Defense Forces is entrusted to us, the commanders of the IDF. Orli, you are an experienced, thorough and balanced officer. I place my trust in you. Doron, this is the opportunity for me to give you the appreciation you deserve and to say thank you.”
President of the Military Court of Appeals, Major General Orli Markman: “I am very proud to lead both of the judicial systems of the IDF, systems where human dignity is our guiding light. These professional, independent and outstanding systems are designed to carry out justice. These systems ensure a fair trial, the preservation of the rights of defendants and the accused, and the protection of the status and rights of victims of crime.”
“In the words of the first Prime Minister of the State of Israel, David Ben-Gurion, the main weapon of the army is its moral strength. The military courts’ independence, status, and the public trust in them are central pillars in law enforcement in the military and the implementation of our core values of human dignity, integrity, and fairness. I am committed to furthering and promoting the professionalism and outstanding work of these units. Thank you Doron for showing me a personal example of the right way to lead the units of the military courts and tribunals. I promise to preserve and strengthen the precious command you have given me.”
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