A wave of criticism from right-wing commentators targeted Defense Minister Israel Katz on Monday morning. Yossi Baum listed failures and accused Katz of 'deception' over the closure of army radio Galei Tzahal. Yoav Lakshtein claimed Katz brought the indictment against MK Tali Gotliv. Yishai Cohen defended the Central Command chief against Katz's attacks, and Akiva Novik charged that Katz is making a mockery of his position.
A broad wave of public criticism from right-wing commentators and journalists targeted Defense Minister Israel Katz on Monday morning, accusing him of a series of failures, political maneuvering, and deception. The remarks, published on social media and news platforms, come amid an ongoing internal political crisis over the defense establishment's leadership.
Yossi Baum enumerated what he called Katz's 'failures and deception,' specifically citing the closure of the IDF's Galei Tzahal radio station as a 'blatant deception.' Yoav Lakshtein claimed that Katz was behind the indictment filed against MK Tali Gotliv. Yishai Cohen, a journalist, defended the commander of IDF Central Command against Katz's recent public criticism, noting that Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has privately praised the commander. Akiva Novik charged that Katz is 'making a mockery of his position.'
The criticism is the latest development in a weeks-long political battle over control of the security establishment. As The Zioneer has reported, Katz has clashed with the Central Command chief, Maj. Gen. Avi Blot, over administrative detention policy and the appointment of the next Central Command commander. Katz has advanced the candidacy of Maj. Gen. Dado Bar Kalifa, drawing opposition from within the coalition and the IDF. The political turmoil has also drawn criticism from opposition figures, including former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot.
The new wave of right-wing criticism suggests that Katz's standing within his own political camp is eroding, even as he faces a primary challenge within the Likud party. The internal dynamics remain fluid, with no immediate resolution in sight.
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