A source commented Monday night that Defense Minister Israel Katz chose to publicly confront the IDF Chief of Staff and senior command during a period of enormous security challenges, and that disagreements should be resolved behind closed doors, not on live broadcasts.
A source criticized Defense Minister Israel Katz late Monday for choosing to publicly confront the IDF Chief of Staff and senior command during a period of enormous security challenges, arguing that disagreements should be resolved behind closed doors, not on live broadcasts. The criticism follows Katz's live announcement on Channel 14 on Sunday night that he would replace Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Blot, citing policy disagreements over administrative detention in Judea and Samaria.
At 23:20 Jerusalem on Sunday, the IDF issued a series of statements confirming that Katz's remarks were not coordinated with Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and that there is no intention to replace senior commanders during the current sensitive period. Katz's office countered that Zamir had recommended the appointment of Maj. Gen. Dado Bar Kalifa as Central Command chief in April, and that Katz interviewed Bar Kalifa in June before deciding to approve the appointment. The IDF reiterated that the appointment was not coordinated with the chief of staff. The source's criticism now adds a political dimension to the public dispute between the defense minister and the military leadership.
The confrontation is the latest in a series of public tensions between the political and military echelons. As The Zioneer reported on June 26, security cabinet ministers clashed with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz over the Lebanon ceasefire, with ministers accusing the leadership of endangering troops. The defense budget dispute has also strained relations, with the Finance Ministry threatening a 4.5% VAT hike if the defense establishment receives a 30 billion shekel boost, as reported on July 2.
It remains unclear whether the source's criticism reflects a broader sentiment within the security establishment or the political echelon. The IDF has not commented on the source's remarks. The underlying dispute over administrative detention policy in Judea and Samaria, which triggered Katz's initial criticism of Blot, continues.
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Source and signal
- Open-source intake