General Dudu Bar Kalifa Tapped to Lead IDF Central Command Next Year

The Israel Defense Forces announced Monday that Major General Dudu Bar Kalifa will be appointed as the next commander of the Central Command, succeeding Major General Avi Blot. The appointment, slated for 2027, was approved by Defense Minister Israel Katz based on the recommendation of IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir.

Bar Kalifa's nomination follows a period of controversy, though the specific details of the "storm" were not elaborated upon in the announcement. Defense Minister Katz had publicly stated earlier in the month that Bar Kalifa would take over the command. A statement from the minister's office indicated that the Chief of Staff had recommended Bar Kalifa in late April and interviewed him in June, finding him the most suitable candidate.

The decision was made during a general staff meeting headed by Lt. Gen. Zamir, which also addressed other key appointments. These include a new commander for the elite naval commando unit Shayetet 13, as well as numerous appointments for division and brigade commanders across various branches of the military. The full list of proposed appointments is subject to Defense Minister Katz's final approval.