Defense Minister Israel Katz on Monday issued a detailed statement denying 'as an absolute lie' reports that he called for the dismissal of Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Blot. Katz said the Chief of Staff recommended Maj. Gen. Dado Bar Kalifa for the post in April, that he approved and interviewed Bar Kalifa in June, and that the appointment process was already underway before the interview. He 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 published a detailed statement denying “as an absolute lie” reports that he called for the dismissal of IDF Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Blot. Katz provided a full timeline: the Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, recommended Maj. Gen. Dado Bar Kalifa for the post in April; Katz approved the recommendation and interviewed Bar Kalifa in June; and the appointment process was already underway when a participant in the interview called for Blot’s dismissal, to which Katz replied “no.” Katz also warned that a future government led by Gadi Eizenkot with Yair Golan as defense minister could endanger Jewish settlements and Israel’s security.
The statement came after a public dispute that erupted Sunday night, when Katz announced Bar Kalifa’s appointment during a Channel 14 interview, prompting a rare public rebuke from the IDF, which said the move was not coordinated with the Chief of Staff. At 02:43 Jerusalem, Katz’s office confirmed that Zamir had recommended Bar Kalifa in April, as The Zioneer reported. At 10:22 Jerusalem, Katz issued his full denial, with multiple versions of his statement published across the thread.
The controversy centers on Katz’s criticism of Blot’s handling of administrative measures against Jewish residents in Judea and Samaria. The evolving account — from an initial televised announcement, to an IDF rebuke, to an office confirmation, and finally to a detailed ministerial statement — reflects the friction between the political echelon and the military command over the appointment.
10 developments
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- 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