IDF Central Command Chief Warns Jewish Terrorism Threatens Israeli Security

Exclusive recordings of IDF Central Command Chief Major General Avi Blot, published on Sunday by Kan News, reveal his direct comments on the security situation in the West Bank. The recordings were made during a conference of the "Farmers Association" last week, where Blot discussed the IDF's operational freedom and counterterrorism efforts in the region. He emphasized that his actions, including preventing illegal outposts in Areas A and B, follow government directives. "Once the law is crossed, it becomes my issue, and when security is endangered, it is doubly so," Blot told attendees.

Blot described some Jewish youths as disrespecting Israeli law and authority, taking matters into their own hands. Despite his criticism, he expressed hope to strengthen positive forces. His remarks come amid rising tensions, with illegal outposts emerging in Areas A and B, sometimes supported by Knesset members advocating to cancel the Oslo Accords.

Addressing a campaign against him and administrative restraining orders led by outpost activists and lawmakers, Blot clarified that these orders are issued based on Shin Bet intelligence against individuals involved in violence toward Palestinians. Due to insufficient evidence for criminal charges and suspects remaining silent, the security system uses administrative measures. He also alluded to Defense Minister Israel Katz's decision about two years ago to end administrative detentions of Jewish suspects, which security officials say led to a sharp increase in Jewish terrorism incidents.

Blot acknowledged the IDF has extensive tools against Palestinian terrorism but a more limited toolkit against nationalist Jewish violence, which he called a "very serious phenomenon that endangers us all." He condemned Jewish terror acts as illegal, immoral, and "not Jewish" in his view, stressing their damage to Israel's legitimacy and operational focus. He warned farm owners involved in violence that those violating the law will face consequences, distinguishing lawful farms cooperating with the IDF from those harming security.

Separately, an indictment was filed against a Jewish rioter involved in an attack on Hawara, and another against a minor filmed cruelly beating a dog in the West Bank.