Ariel Mayor Yair Shevton on Monday responded to the dismissal of Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth, praising Bluth's dedication to Israel's security while criticizing the manner of the announcement during a television program. 'Disagreements are legitimate, but an announcement of a senior command change during a TV program is something that should not be done,' Shevton stated.
Ariel Mayor Yair Shevton added his voice Monday morning to the growing debate over the dismissal of Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth. In a statement reported by N12, Shevton praised Bluth's dedication to Israel's security, calling him a commander who 'dedicates his life to the security of the State of Israel' and credited him with improving the situation in Judea and Samaria. However, Shevton sharply criticized the manner in which the replacement was announced on live television, calling it 'something that should not be done.'
The statement follows similar expressions of support from Gush Etzion Regional Council head Yaron Rosenthal and former IDF general Ofer Winter, both of whom backed Bluth earlier Monday, as The Zioneer reported. The controversy erupted after Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Sunday night that he was replacing Bluth with Maj. Gen. Dado Bar Kalifa, a move the IDF Chief of Staff publicly rejected as unauthorized.
The political and military fallout continues, with the Chief of Staff's office stating there is no plan to replace commanders during this sensitive period. Katz's office has claimed the move was based on prior military recommendations.
- DevelopingGush Etzion council head Yaron Rosenthal backs Central Command chief Avi Bluth
- DevelopingOfer Winter reportedly backs Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth amid replacement controversy
- DevelopingMK Buaron criticizes IDF Central Command head over employment of Arab workers in Judea and Samaria
- DevelopingAmit Segal defends MG Avi Bluth: 'Sin' was professionalism outside Likud primary schedule
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