Brigadier General (res) Harel Knafo retired from the Israeli Defense Forces with more than 30 years of military, counter terrorism and national security experience. Knafo serves on the Advisory Board for Israel Defense and Security Forum (IDSF).
In his most recent role, he served as the Chief of Staff of the Southern Command (under current Defense Minister Yoav Gallant). In the immediate aftermath of the October 7th attacks, General Kanfo returned to duty and served as the Commander of the Information Operation of the Southern Command.
General Knafo also served as the Commander of the Inter-Army Command and Staff College and was the Chief of Bislmach – the IDF school for infantry officers and professionals. He previously led the 890th Battalion of the Paratroopers and served as a Brigade Commander in the Nablus region in Samaria during the second intaface leading particularly intensive anti-terorrism combat operations.
In 2023, Knafo was appointed as the Israeli government as special envoy for immigration policy from Ethiopia.
Knafo is a graduate of the Royal College of Defence Studies in London.