Religious Zionism Leaders Defend IDF Central Command Chief Amid Dado Bar Kalifa Appointment Controversy

Members of the Religious Zionism party have publicly responded to the controversy surrounding the appointment of Dado Bar Kalifa as the new commander of the IDF Central Command. MK Tzvi Sukkot rejected claims that Defense Minister Yoav Kitzinger dismissed Major General Avi Blot live on air, calling such allegations "complete lies" and stating that anyone who watched the broadcast would know the truth. Sukkot praised Kitzinger as "the best defense minister in Israel's history," highlighting his proactive approach and refusal to act as a mere rubber stamp for the military, unlike his predecessors. He attributed the accusations against Kitzinger to political motives, emphasizing that those upset are simply reacting to changes in the status quo.

MK Avichai Boaron also supported Major General Blot, crediting him with significantly improving the Central Command's effectiveness against terrorism and its infrastructure, following a difficult period under the previous commander, Yehuda Fox. Boaron pointed to the tangible results, including the establishment of 104 new settlements and numerous agricultural outposts in Judea and Samaria, which he described as part of a renewed security strategy equating settlement expansion with enhanced security. He called this a transformative development with positive implications for Israel.

The Defense Minister's office denied claims that Bar Kalifa's appointment was made without coordination with the IDF Chief of Staff. They stated that at the end of April, Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir recommended Bar Kalifa for the Central Command role and requested that Kitzinger interview him for the position. This clarification came amid ongoing debates within the political and military spheres regarding leadership changes in the West Bank command.

The controversy reflects broader tensions within Israeli politics and security circles over military appointments and settlement policies in the West Bank, with Religious Zionism figures firmly backing both the outgoing and incoming commanders and the Defense Minister's decisions.