Defense Minister Israel Katz Denies Calls to Remove Central Command Chief Amid Controversy
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Defense Minister Israel Katz denied allegations that he called for the removal of Central Command Chief Avi Blot, clarifying that the appointment of Major General Dado Bar-Kalifa was already in progress based on the Chief of Staff's recommendation. Katz called the controversy a political campaign and warned against the potential appointment of Yair Golan as defense minister, which he said could harm Israeli security.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israel Katz denies calling for Central Command Chief Avi Blot's removal on TV.
- Katz confirmed he accepted Chief of Staff's recommendation to appoint Dado Bar-Kalifa in July.
- He said the appointment process began months before the controversial interview.
- Katz called the controversy a political campaign against the government.
- He warned that Yair Golan as defense minister could harm settlements and security.
- Katz stressed such a scenario would not happen under his leadership.
Defense Minister Israel Katz responded on Monday to the widespread controversy over his recent remarks on the Patriotim TV show regarding Central Command Chief Avi Blot. Katz denied that he called for Blot's removal, calling such claims "an absolute lie" and part of a political campaign against the government. He clarified that on April 24, it was reported that the Chief of Staff recommended appointing Major General Dado Bar-Kalifa, head of the Logistics Directorate, as the new Central Command chief. On July 28, Katz said he accepted this recommendation after interviewing Bar-Kalifa and deciding he was the most suitable candidate, proceeding with the appointment according to protocol.
Katz emphasized that during the interview, when a participant called for the dismissal of the current Central Command chief, he immediately and clearly responded "no," and this exchange was recorded. He stressed that the appointment process was already underway months before the interview, so claims that the decision followed the interview are factually incorrect. Katz described the controversy as a media attempt to divert attention from the real issue: the potential appointment of Yair Golan as defense minister in a government led by Benny Gantz, which Katz warned could lead to reinstating officials from an "old ideology" that might harm settlements and Israel's security. Katz concluded by asserting that such a scenario did not and would not happen under his watch.
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