Defense Minister Israel Katz announced live on air the dismissal of a regional commander, reportedly without legal authority. The IDF has distanced itself from the move, according to Israeli media.
Defense Minister Israel Katz announced the dismissal of IDF Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Blot on live television Sunday evening, and simultaneously declared that Maj. Gen. Dado Bar Kalifa would replace him. The IDF has now distanced itself from the move, stating that Katz lacked the authority to unilaterally remove a senior commander, according to Israeli media reports. The announcement was made without prior coordination with the Chief of Staff, contrary to standard procedure for senior appointments.
The Zioneer reported Sunday evening that Katz's public criticism of Blot centered on the commander's decision to file an appeal against the release of a Jewish resident, which Katz said contradicted his policy. Within minutes, Katz announced the dismissal and replacement on Channel 14. The IDF reportedly refused to cooperate with the decision, and the Chief of Staff was not informed in advance. This is the latest in a series of disputes between Katz and the military leadership, including the defense minister's demand to dismiss reserve officer Omri Ronen, which the IDF also did not act upon.
The controversy is part of a broader civil-military rift over command authority in Judea and Samaria, particularly regarding administrative detention policy. As The Zioneer reported, Katz's authority to unilaterally appoint generals has been questioned by analysts, who note that the power to appoint senior officers rests with the Chief of Staff, with the defense minister's role limited to approval.
The exact legal basis for the dismissal remains unclear, and it is uncertain whether the IDF will comply with Katz's directive. The military's public distancing from the move suggests a deepening standoff between the defense minister and the defense establishment.
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