Primary campaign headquarters for Defense Minister Israel Katz sustained a painful blow Monday, according to political sources, after Katz's remarks about the Central Command commander caused a backlash. A senior source close to Prime Minister Netanyahu said Katz 'was wrong, big time', and another source claimed thousands of voters decided not to support him.
Defense Minister Israel Katz’s primary campaign headquarters suffered a setback Monday, according to political sources, after his remarks about the Central Command commander triggered a backlash. A senior source close to Prime Minister Netanyahu said Katz “was wrong, big time,” and another source claimed thousands of voters had decided to withdraw their support. The reports come as Katz faces internal Likud criticism ahead of the party primaries, with the incident damaging his standing among party members.
The Zioneer first reported on the brewing conflict on Sunday evening (Aug 2, 23:47 Jerusalem), when a political commentary — from an unidentified source — accused Katz of running a calculated campaign against Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Blot. The commentary alleged that Katz’s office orchestrated a deliberate leak to Channel 14 last week and was pressuring Blot over his handling of administrative measures in Judea and Samaria. It further claimed that Katz lacks the authority to unilaterally appoint generals and was prioritizing political interests over security.
As The Zioneer reported on Sunday, the commentary noted that Blot is widely popular among Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, and that Katz’s public attack on the general and his advancement of a replacement for the post had drawn criticism. The background context includes earlier allegations that Katz’s office leaked sensitive Shin Bet material about the Dardik case to journalists.
The extent of the damage to Katz’s primary campaign remains unclear. The sources cited are political and not identified by name, and the allegations of a deliberate leak have not been independently confirmed. The primary date is approaching, and the fallout may continue to evolve.
3 developments
- DevelopingRight-wing commentators accuse Defense Minister Katz of failures, deception
- StrongIsraeli the source reacts to Katz-Blott controversy, seeks Drucker's criticism
- DevelopingDemocrats MK Rayten: Katz dismissed Central Command chief under political pressure
- DevelopingArmy Radio journalists: Katz treats IDF General Staff as a 'reality show' ahead of Likud primary
Source and signal
- Open-source intake