Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Channel 14's Patriots program that he intends to appoint Maj. Gen. Dado Bar Kalifa as the next commander of IDF Central Command, as reported by Israeli media. The IDF responded that the announcement was not coordinated with Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and that there is no intention to replace the current commander, Maj. Gen. Avi Blot. Katz's office countered that Zamir had recommended Bar Kalifa for the role as early as April.
Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Channel 14's Patriots program late Sunday that he intends to appoint Maj. Gen. Dado Bar Kalifa as the next commander of IDF Central Command, according to Israeli media reports. The IDF responded immediately, stating that the announcement was not coordinated with Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and that there is no intention to replace the current commander, Maj. Gen. Avi Blot. Katz's office countered by revealing that Zamir himself had recommended Bar Kalifa for the role as early as the end of April, and that Katz interviewed the candidate in June.
The appointment is the culmination of a process that began months ago. As The Zioneer reported earlier Sunday evening (Sun 23:22 Jerusalem), Katz had publicly criticized Blot over the administrative detention of a Jewish resident in Judea and Samaria, accusing the general of acting contrary to ministerial policy. Katz said he wants a commander who 'strikes enemies while protecting local Israeli civilians.' In a series of updates after midnight Monday (Mon 00:28 Jerusalem), the desk reported that the chief of staff recommended Bar Kalifa in late April, Katz interviewed him in June, and the appointment is expected in the next senior command rotation. Bar Kalifa, currently head of the IDF Personnel Directorate, initially declined the role after a request from Zamir, but Katz convinced him to accept.
The episode highlights the ongoing tension between Katz and the IDF's Central Command. As The Zioneer reported on Sunday, Katz asserted 'absolute control' over the security system following the dispute with Blot. Katz has stated that his policy is to promote commanders with a proven record of aggressiveness in the War of Resurrection, in line with the security policy he leads with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The IDF's statement that the announcement was not coordinated with the chief of staff suggests potential friction in the formalization of the appointment, which is expected to be finalized in the next round of senior command rotations.
8 developments
- DevelopingDefense Minister Katz advances appointment of Maj. Gen. Dado Bar Kalifa as Central Command chief
- 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
- DevelopingSource assesses Dado Bar Kalifa will decide next Judea and Samaria Division commander
Source and signal
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