Defense Minister Katz Denies Calling for Central Command Chief's Dismissal, Confirms Appointment Process Underway

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz addressed controversy arising from his remarks on Channel 14, where he was reported to have announced the dismissal of Central Command Chief Major General Avi Blot and named Major General Dado Bar-Kalifa as his replacement. Katz denied ever calling for Blot's removal during the live broadcast, calling such claims "completely false" and part of a political campaign against the government.

Katz clarified that the appointment process for Bar-Kalifa had been underway for months, citing that on April 24, Channel 12 reported the Chief of Staff's recommendation to appoint Bar-Kalifa, then head of the Planning Directorate, as Central Command Chief. On July 28, Channel 14 reported Katz's acceptance of this recommendation after interviewing Bar-Kalifa and deciding he was the best candidate. Katz emphasized that during the interview, when a participant called for Blot's dismissal, he immediately and clearly responded "No," and that the footage proves this.

He stressed that the decision was made well before the interview and that presenting the appointment as a reaction to the interview is factually incorrect. Katz concluded by accusing the media of trying to divert attention from the real issue: the potential appointment of Yair Golan as Defense Minister, who previously threatened to dismiss another general and might reinstate old military approaches that could harm Israeli settlements and security. Katz asserted that under his tenure, such actions have not occurred and will not happen.