Shai Klapper
Israeli military officer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
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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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,[citation needed] 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.[1] After serving in a variety of other roles in the Israel Defense Forces, Klapper was appointed as commander of the Brigade in 2018.[3] He was replaced in the role in 2020 by Barak Hiram.[4]
91st Division
Klapper served as the commander of the 91st Division from 2022 to 2025.[5] Under his command the division took part in the 2024 Israeli invasion of Lebanon.[6]
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.[7][8]
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.[9] 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."[10][11] On 2 March, the Home Front Command under Klapper mobilized approximately 20,000 reservists.[12] 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."[13]
