Minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf said Monday evening that Defense Minister Israel Katz did not fire Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Blot, and that it is permissible to voice criticism and the minister's authority to appoint or dismiss. Wasserlauf made the remarks during an interview on Channel 14's 'Patriots' program, after making a dramatic entrance by jumping over a fence.
Minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf defended Defense Minister Israel Katz's authority to appoint or dismiss senior officers during an interview on Channel 14's 'Patriots' program Monday evening, after making a dramatic entrance by jumping over a fence. Wasserlauf stated that Katz did not fire Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Blot, and that it is permissible to voice criticism, emphasizing that the authority to appoint or dismiss lies with the minister.
The statement comes amid the ongoing public controversy that began Sunday evening when Katz announced on live television his intention to replace Blot, sparking a rare public rebuke from the IDF General Staff, which stated the decision was not coordinated with the Chief of Staff, as The Zioneer reported. By Monday evening, Katz had reversed course, telling local council heads in Judea and Samaria in a series of statements that Blot is 'performing well' and has not been dismissed. Katz also stated there is no disagreement between them.
As The Zioneer reported over the weekend, the controversy stemmed from months of tension over security policy in Judea and Samaria, with Katz criticizing Blot's handling of administrative measures against Jewish residents. The Chief of Staff reportedly told Blot directly, 'You are not going anywhere,' according to N12. The Defense Ministry had earlier claimed that the recommendation to replace Blot came from the Chief of Staff himself, adding complexity to the public dispute.
It remains unclear whether the public rift between the defense minister and the IDF leadership has been fully resolved, as the original announcement and subsequent reversals have raised questions about the chain of command and the proper process for senior military appointments.
5 developments
- StrongCommentator Shachar Glik corrects claim: Katz did not fire Blot live, decision was pre-existing
- StrongIsraeli the source reacts to Katz-Blott controversy, seeks Drucker's criticism
- DevelopingMK Buaron: Maj. Gen. Blot cannot run his own policy, must implement defense minister's instructions
- DevelopingChannel 14 clip shows Katz directly linked Bar Kalifa appointment to Blot dispute
Source and signal
- Open-source intake