Defense Minister Israel Katz on Monday denied as 'an absolute lie' reports that he called for the dismissal of Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Blot, saying the claim was part of a political campaign against the government. Katz said the Chief of Staff had recommended Maj. Gen. Dado Bar Kalifa for the post in April, that he had approved the recommendation and interviewed Bar Kalifa in June, and that the appointment process was already underway when a participant in the interview called for Blot's dismissal, to which he replied 'no.' Katz also warned that a future government led by Gadi Eizenkot with Yair Golan as defense minister could endanger settlements and Israel's security.
Defense Minister Israel Katz on Monday morning (10:22 Jerusalem) issued a detailed statement categorically denying reports that he called for the dismissal of Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Blot, labeling the claim "an absolute lie" and part of a political campaign. Katz provided a timeline showing that the Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, recommended Maj. Gen. Dado Bar Kalifa for the post in April, that he approved the recommendation and interviewed Bar Kalifa in June, and that the appointment process was already underway when a participant in the interview called for Blot's dismissal — to which Katz said he replied "no." The defense minister also warned that a future government led by Gadi Eizenkot with Yair Golan as defense minister could endanger the settlements and Israel's security.
The controversy erupted overnight after Katz's televised interview. As The Zioneer reported at 02:43 Jerusalem, Katz's office confirmed that the Chief of Staff had recommended Bar Kalifa in April, and that Katz had interviewed him in June. The IDF issued a rare public statement saying the announcement was made without the Chief of Staff's knowledge. By 10:22 Jerusalem, Katz's denial was published in multiple versions, with the defense minister expanding his account to include the warning against the opposition. The timeline has been consistent: Katz maintains he did not fire Blot on air, and that the replacement was based on a prior military recommendation that he had already approved.
The friction centers on Katz's criticism of Blot's handling of administrative measures against Jewish residents in Judea and Samaria, as The Zioneer reported earlier Monday. Katz has argued that Bar Kalifa, who had initially declined the role, aligns with a policy of promoting commanders with a proven record of "offensiveness and success" in the fight against terrorism. The political dimension of the affair includes Katz's warning against an Eizenkot-Golan government, which he says would appoint officials of the "old conception" that failed on October 7.
The dispute over whether the appointment was coordinated with the Chief of Staff remains unresolved. The IDF acknowledged the announcement was not coordinated, while Katz's office insists the process followed the Chief of Staff's own recommendation.
10 developments
- StrongIsraeli the source reacts to Katz-Blott controversy, seeks Drucker's criticism
- DevelopingFalse report of defense minister firing general believed by public, analysis says
- DevelopingGantz defends Central Command chief Blot, warns against politicizing IDF
- DevelopingTamir Heyman: Katz 'broke three records' with live dismissal of Central Command chief
Source and signal
- Open-source intake