Defense Minister Katz Announces Replacement of Central Command Chief Without Coordination

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on the Channel 14 program "The Patriots" that Major General Avi Blot, commander of the Central Command, would be replaced by Major General Dado Bar-Kalifa. However, the IDF spokesperson clarified overnight that Katz's statement was not coordinated with Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, who has no intention of replacing Blot. The IDF emphasized Blot's professionalism and full trust, stating no changes in key command positions are planned during this sensitive period without proper procedures.

The Defense Ministry responded that the Chief of Staff had recommended Bar-Kalifa for the position as early as April and requested Katz to interview him. Katz personally interviewed Bar-Kalifa in June and decided to announce the appointment as part of the upcoming command rotation. Katz's policy aims to promote commanders with proven offensive records aligned with the security approach led by him and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Opposition figures sharply criticized Katz's announcement. Blue and White chairman Benny Gantz called Blot a "principled, offensive, and professional officer" and condemned politicizing IDF appointments as a threat to national security. Former Defense Minister Yoav Galant warned that undermining commanders' authority destabilizes the army and called the live broadcast dismissal "a disgraceful act crossing a red line," especially amid ongoing counterterrorism operations.

Retired Brigadier General Ofer Winter condemned the manner of Blot's dismissal as damaging public trust and stressed that the Defense Minister should not fire generals live on air but address concerns privately. Beit El Council head Shay Alon urged Katz to retract his decision, praising Blot's leadership and commitment to security amid heightened challenges in Judea and Samaria.

The controversy follows reports that Katz sent a threatening message to Blot regarding the arrest of right-wing activist Tal Yinon Dradik amid escalating tensions in the West Bank. Katz reportedly opposed administrative detentions, which he claimed were not being enforced properly. It was also revealed that Dradik's brother is a parliamentary advisor to Likud MK Amit Halevi, a prominent advocate for Dradik's release, supported by Katz and other officials.