The IDF has distanced itself from Defense Minister Israel Katz's announcement that he is replacing Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Blot, stating the claim was not coordinated with the Chief of Staff and that the military does not intend to replace Blot, i24NEWS reports. Katz had announced the replacement live on Channel 14, citing Blot's appeal against his position regarding the administrative detention of a Jewish resident.
The IDF on Sunday night pushed back against Defense Minister Israel Katz's surprise announcement that he intends to replace Maj. Gen. Avi Blot as head of the Central Command, stating that the remarks were not coordinated with the Chief of Staff and that there is no plan to replace Blot. Katz had announced the replacement live on Channel 14, citing Blot's appeal against his position regarding the administrative detention of a Jewish resident. The IDF's denial, published at 23:20 Jerusalem, marked the latest escalation in the public dispute between the defense minister and the military leadership.
The thread of this story shows that the IDF's response was swift and consistent across multiple channels. At 23:20 Jerusalem, several versions of the IDF's denial were published, all affirming that Katz's remarks were not coordinated with the Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, and that Blot enjoys full confidence. Earlier, at 23:22 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported that Katz had attacked Blot and advanced the appointment of Maj. Gen. Dado Bar Kalifa as his replacement. The dispute traces back to July 28, when The Zioneer reported that Katz was advancing Bar Kalifa's appointment, and that Blot had demanded the continued administrative detention of Tal Yanon Dardik, contrary to Katz's position.
The Zioneer has reported on various reactions to the controversy. Former IDF general Ofer Winter expressed support for Blot, while opposition figures Naftali Bennett and Gadi Eisenkot accused Katz of political interference. The Eye on Zion editorial on Monday framed Katz's move as a significant assertion of civilian oversight, prioritizing the rights of Israeli residents in Judea and Samaria. The Zioneer also reported that MK Son Har Melch accused Blot of treating hilltop youth as enemies, and a military source suggested Katz's remarks were motivated by Likud primaries.
While the IDF has denied any intention to replace Blot, Katz's office has countered that the Chief of Staff had recommended Bar Kalifa's appointment in April. The actual outcome of this power struggle remains unclear, as the defense minister continues to assert his authority over the military command.
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