Channel 14 commentator Hillel Bitton Rosen issued a statement Monday morning accusing IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir of acting on leaks and spins from leftist political elements in the controversy over the appointment of Maj. Gen. Dado Bar Kalifa as Central Command chief. Rosen insisted that the appointment was Zamir's own initiative, claiming that any spin the chief of staff now produces 'will not change the truth.'
Commentator Hillel Bitton Rosen of Channel 14 issued a statement Monday morning further defending Defense Minister Israel Katz's account of the appointment of Maj. Gen. Dado Bar Kalifa as IDF Central Command chief, this time directly accusing Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir of acting on 'leaks and spins' from leftist political elements.
The statement comes hours after Bitton Rosen published a detailed timeline Sunday night defending Katz's version of events, as The Zioneer reported at 00:51. In that timeline, Rosen argued that the IDF Spokesperson's statement was inaccurate and that Katz's account was consistent with earlier Channel 14 reporting.
The broader dispute began Sunday evening when Katz announced the appointment during a Channel 14 interview, prompting the IDF to issue a rare statement that the move was made without the chief of staff's knowledge. Katz's office later confirmed that Zamir himself had recommended Bar Kalifa for the role in April and requested that Katz interview him. The Defense Ministry stated that Katz conducted the interview in June and decided to proceed with the appointment.
Monday's statement by Rosen represents the latest salvo in a public clash between the political echelon and the IDF command over the leadership of Central Command, which oversees security operations in Judea and Samaria. Katz has criticized the current commander, Maj. Gen. Avi Blot, for his handling of administrative measures against Jewish residents in the region.
Rosen's remarks remain an unverified account from a single commentator, though he has been a consistent source close to security circles. The IDF has not responded to his latest statement.
- DevelopingChannel 14 commentator presents timeline defending Katz in Bar Kalifa appointment dispute
- DevelopingNoam Amir accuses Chief of Staff Zamir of lying about Bar Kalifa appointment
- ConfirmedKatz's office confirms: Chief of Staff recommended Bar Kalifa for Central Command in April
- StrongBitton Rosen: Chief of Staff made political decision on Azaria record, against defense minister
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