Former PM Bennett and Ex-IDF Chief Eizenkot Condemn Defense Minister Katz's Command Change Announcement
Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett sharply criticized Defense Minister Israel Katz's televised announcement that the Central Command chief would replace Major General Avi Blot. Bennett accused the government of turning against its own soldiers, stating that after dismantling the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from outside and encouraging mass draft evasion, the government formed on October 7 is now dismantling the IDF from within, ensuring total chaos.
Gadi Eizenkot, former IDF Chief of Staff and current chairman of Yisrael, also condemned Katz's declaration. Speaking about Katz's appearance on the program 'The Patriots,' Eizenkot called it an unprecedented low in civil-military relations, describing the act as improper and illegal. He emphasized that Israel is not private property and the IDF should not be used as a political tool in party primaries by politicians who have lost their way.
These comments highlight deep tensions between political leadership and military officials regarding the handling of IDF command appointments amid ongoing political turmoil in Israel.
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