Defense Minister Israel Katz announced Sunday night on Channel 14 that Maj. Gen. Dado Bar Kalifa will replace Maj. Gen. Avi Blot as commander of the IDF Central Command, and criticized Blot.
Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Channel 14 Sunday night that Maj. Gen. Dado Bar Kalifa will replace Maj. Gen. Avi Blot as commander of the IDF Central Command, and launched a sharp public attack on the outgoing commander. The announcement, reported at 23:20 Jerusalem, escalated a dispute that had been simmering over administrative detention policy for Jewish residents in Judea and Samaria.
As The Zioneer reported earlier Sunday (23:20 Jerusalem), Katz had been advancing the appointment following a disagreement with Blot. In a Channel 14 interview, Katz criticized Blot for filing a court appeal against the release of Jewish resident Tal Yanon Dardik, contrary to Katz's policy. Katz stated that he wants a commander who "chases to decision, strikes enemies, and protects settlers," and asserted his control over the system is "absolute." The thread of the story shows that Katz cited the military prosecution's appeal as a key reason for the decision.
The Zioneer previously reported on July 28 that Katz had convinced Bar Kalifa to accept the role after he had initially declined. The same day, ynet reported that Blot was demanding to keep Dardik in administrative detention, directly contradicting Katz's position. Bar Kalifa, currently head of the Personnel Directorate, has extensive field experience, including commanding the 36th Division. Blot, as Central Command chief, has been responsible for counter-terror operations and protecting Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria.
The exact timing of the transition remains unclear, and the Chief of Staff's formal stance has not been detailed. The appointment is subject to standard approval processes.
19 developments
- DevelopingDefense Minister Katz to sit for rare live TV interview tonight
- DevelopingKatz's disclosure of US strikes on Iran from Israeli bases ignites censorship row, CENTCOM friction
- DevelopingHadassah Ben-Itzhak: Katz rushed to condemn incitement against IDF chief, unlike Lapid
- DevelopingYoaz Hendel sharply criticizes Defense Minister Israel Katz
Source and signal
- Open-source intake