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Moshe KaplinskyMajor General in the Reserves of the Israel Defense Forces
Date of Birth: 20.01.1957
Country:  Israel |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Military Service
- First Lebanon War and Reserve Brigade
- Senior Command Positions
- Senior Leadership Roles
- Commander of the Central Command
- Deputy Chief of Staff
- Post-Military Career
- Speculation and Political Involvement
- Personal Life
Early Life and Education
Moshe Kaplinsky was born and raised in Gedera, Israel. He was drafted into the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in 1977, where he began his military career in the Golani Brigade.
Military Service
Golani Brigade and Commando UnitKaplinsky served in various command positions within the Golani Brigade, including platoon commander, battalion operations officer, and brigade operations commander. He also commanded the Shaldag special forces unit in 1981.
First Lebanon War and Reserve Brigade
In 1982, Kaplinsky led a reconnaissance company in the Golani Brigade during the First Lebanon War. He was wounded during the battle for the Beaufort Castle. Following his recovery, he returned as a company commander. In 1990, he commanded a reserve brigade and later the Eastern Brigade of the Liaison Unit for Cooperation in Lebanon.
Senior Command Positions
Kaplinsky served as the commander of the Golani Brigade from 1993 to 1997, where he led his troops during the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. He became a Brigadier General in 1997 and commanded the Ha-Esh Reserve Division before taking command of the Ha-Galil Territorial Division in 1999.
Senior Leadership Roles
Military Secretary to the Prime MinisterIn 2001, Kaplinsky was promoted to Major General and appointed Military Secretary to the Prime Minister of Israel.
Commander of the Central Command
He became Commander of the Central Command in August 2002, overseeing a period of reduced terrorist activity in the West Bank.
Deputy Chief of Staff
In March 2005, Kaplinsky was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff of the IDF. During the Second Lebanon War, he temporarily headed the General Staff after the resignation of Chief of Staff Dan Halutz.
Post-Military Career
Bettter Place and NesherAfter retiring from the military in October 2007, Kaplinsky served as CEO of the Israeli branch of Better Place from 2008 to 2012 and CEO of Nesher, an Israeli construction company, from 2013 onwards.
Speculation and Political Involvement
Kaplinsky's return to public service has been the subject of media speculation, including potential roles such as Director-General of the Ministry of Defense or successor to Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi. However, he has consistently downplayed these reports as journalistic conjecture. In early 2012, he was approached by Yair Lapid to join his new political party.
Personal Life
Kaplinsky holds a bachelor's degree in economics and business administration from Bar-Ilan University and an MBA from Tel Aviv University. He is also a graduate of the IDF Command and Staff College and the United States Army Infantry Advanced Course at Fort Benning. He resides in Gedera with his wife Pnina and two sons, Or and Gal. His brother, Colonel Rafi Kaplinsky, is the Deputy Commander of the Edom Territorial Division.
