Retired Lt. Col. Yitzhaki Glick Criticizes Live Announcement of Central Command Change as Harmful to IDF and Public Trust

Retired Lt. Col. Yitzhaki Glick, a founder of the 'El Hadgal' movement, sharply criticized Defense Minister Israel Katz's live announcement of the replacement of Central Command Chief Avi Blot. In an interview with Channel 7, Glick argued that the move damages the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and public trust, attributing it to political motives rather than professional considerations.

Glick described Katz's announcement as part of an ongoing dismantling of the military system driven by purely political reasons. He called the situation "particularly embarrassing," emphasizing that it stems from a lack of leadership rather than ideological disputes between right and left. Glick praised Blot as one of the IDF's most capable commanders, highlighting his extensive and effective counterterrorism operations in Judea and Samaria over the past two years, which he compared to a "tenfold Operation Defensive Shield."

Regarding cooperation between Blot and Minister Bezalel Smotrich on advancing settlement points, Glick stated that when such efforts strengthen settlement security and are coordinated with the IDF, his movement supports them. However, he expressed disappointment over the absence of swift backing from the Religious Zionist leadership following Katz's announcement, stressing the importance of supporting professionals based on their actions rather than religious affiliation.

Addressing tensions related to IDF actions against Jewish violence in Judea and Samaria, Glick distinguished between settlers and individuals taking the law into their own hands. He insisted that the use of force in Israel is reserved for state authorities like the IDF, police, and Shin Bet, condemning any violence outside self-defense as illegal. Glick affirmed 'El Hadgal's' opposition to vigilantism and support for law enforcement, even against ideological offenders.

He expressed confidence in Blot's security decisions, which are based on intelligence and aimed at maintaining security and the rule of law. Glick criticized the current leadership's indecisiveness, viewing it as evidence of a complete breakdown of traditional Religious Zionist values, emphasizing that no one should take the law into their own hands or establish parallel authorities opposing the state and army.