Israel Katz: "Claims that I called for the commander's dismissal are an absolute lie"
Defense Minister Israel Katz denied reports that he dismissed Central Command chief Avi Bluth live on air. Katz called the allegations part of a political campaign against the government.
After announcing live on Sunday a replacement for Central Command chief Avi Bluth, Defense Minister Israel Katz stated: "The attempt to present my words as if I called for the dismissal of the commander on air is an absolute lie, part of a political campaign aimed against the government. The facts are clear: in yesterday's interview, when one of the participants called to 'dismiss the commander', I replied immediately and clearly: 'No'".
According to Katz, the Chief of Staff's recommendation had been received and approved months prior, and the appointment process was already underway. "Therefore, the attempt to present things as if a decision was made following the interview does not stand the test of facts," the minister asserted.
However, despite Katz's claim, sources within the security establishment indicate that the Chief of Staff had not reached a final agreement with Major General Dado Bar Khalifa for the position, noting that he is only one of several candidates.
Political Context and Settler Reactions
Katz also dismissed accusations of populism, arguing that the real debate should focus on the future of the Ministry of Defense. "What will happen if Yair Golan, who already threatened to dismiss commander David Zini, becomes Defense Minister in a government led by Eisenkot? There is a fear that they will return to appointing people of the 'old conception,' which could harm the settlement movement and Israel's security," he added.
Reactions from the Yesha Council heads were mixed. While some local leaders expressed support for Bluth, highlighting his contributions to the region, others issued a statement that, while acknowledging the commander's service, also backed Minister Katz, describing his actions as a "revolution in strengthening security."
Conversely, Beit El Council head Shai Alon criticized the minister's decision as a political maneuver ahead of elections, while Kiryat Arba-Hebron Council head Israel Bramson noted that Bluth's tenure saw unprecedented growth in settlements.
IDF Stance
The IDF stated that Katz's remarks "were not coordinated with the Chief of Staff," emphasizing that the Chief of Staff does not intend to replace commanders in key positions during this sensitive period.
This morning, Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir announced that he would not appoint major generals until the beginning of 2027. Consequently, Central Command chief Major General Avi Bluth will continue in his position, completing at least three years in the role by the summer of 2027.
