Uzi Dayan
Major General (Res.) Uzi Dayan is a prominent Israeli military and political figure, former Deputy Chief of Staff, and National Security Advisor. He has played a central role in Israel's strategic negotiations and efforts to recover missing soldiers, recently representing the state in discussions regarding the remains of personnel from the 1982 Battle of Sultan Yacoub.
Uzi Dayan is a veteran of the Israel Defense Forces with a distinguished career in both the security and public sectors. A nephew of the legendary Moshe Dayan, he rose through the ranks of the elite Sayeret Matkal unit, eventually commanding it. His military career culminated in senior leadership roles, including head of the Central Command and Deputy Chief of Staff. Following his military service, Dayan transitioned into national policy, serving as the head of the National Security Council (NSC) under Prime Ministers Ehud Barak and Ariel Sharon. In this capacity, he was a key architect of Israel's strategic doctrine during the Second Intifada and early 2000s.
Beyond his formal roles, Dayan has remained a pivotal figure in the sensitive mission of recovering Israeli prisoners of war and missing in action (MIAs). He led the Israeli delegation in complex, long-term negotiations with Syria aimed at locating and returning the remains of soldiers lost during the First Lebanon War. His involvement in these efforts was highlighted in August 2026 following the recovery and burial of Staff Sergeant Yehuda Katz, one of the three missing soldiers from the 1982 Battle of Sultan Yacoub. Dayan's public remarks during this period underscored the persistent refusal of the Syrian regime to cooperate on humanitarian grounds, even as Israel continues to demand the return of other national icons, such as the spy Eli Cohen.
In the political sphere, Dayan has served as a Member of Knesset for the Likud party and has been a vocal advocate for Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, emphasizing the strategic necessity of the Jordan Valley for Israel's security. His recent activities, including high-level meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, suggest a continued influence on the national stage, bridging the gap between Israel's historical security challenges and its contemporary strategic needs.