Major General Avi Blut Dismissed on Live TV: IDF and Settler Reaction
Central Command Chief Major General Avi Blut learned of his dismissal by Defense Minister Israel Katz during an operational meeting. The IDF distanced itself from the minister's statement.
Central Command Chief Major General Avi Blut learned of his dismissal by Defense Minister Israel Katz during an operational meeting regarding policy against terrorist organizations in Judea and Samaria. At the time of the announcement, Blut was discussing plans to dismantle terror infrastructure with officers from the command and the Judea and Samaria Division.
The IDF was quick to distance itself from Katz's announcement, noting that the authority to dismiss senior officers lies solely with the Chief of Staff. In the corridors of the Central Command, the news caused shock, as those present could not believe that the conflict surrounding the arrest warrant for Tal Yinon Dardik, suspected of abusing Palestinians, would lead to the dismissal of a senior officer on live television.
Security sources stated that from Blut's perspective, nothing has changed. "It is clear to the General that he remains in his position," a source said. "Work continues as usual, but there is no doubt that this creates shockwaves within the command; after all, this is a statement by a Defense Minister."
The Dispute Over the Warrant
Minister Katz claims the General appealed his decision not to extend Dardik's administrative warrant, but the timeline suggests otherwise. The IDF's appeal to the State Attorney's Office concerned the legality of the administrative warrant and alternatives to arrest, rather than the extension itself, which was not under discussion. Furthermore, the appeal was filed before Katz's public statement regarding the warrant.
Settler Reaction
The minister's move drew sharp criticism from settlers. Shai Alon, head of the Beit El Council, called on Katz to retract the decision: "Dismissing an IDF General during a war, who gives his soul for the people of Israel to prevent the next October 7, shows a lack of understanding of reality."
Davidi Ben Zion, Deputy Head of the Samaria Council, praised Blut's contributions to the settlement movement, while Brigadier General (res.) Ofer Winter stated that the manner of the dismissal was "a severe blow to public trust."
