Defense Minister Israel Katz Denies On-Air Dismissal of West Bank Commander Amid Controversy

A detailed review of the recent 'The Patriots' program featuring Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz clarifies that no on-air dismissal of Major General Avi Blot took place. Katz recounted a conversation with the Chief of Staff regarding the appointment of Major General Dado Bar-Kalifa as Blot's successor in the upcoming command rotation, a decision already publicized. Media outlets misinterpreted this as a live dismissal, but the program revealed more serious issues.

Panelist Itamar Fleishman called for Blot's removal, accusing him of not understanding democracy, which was met with enthusiastic applause from the audience. Katz explained his preference for Bar-Kalifa to replace Blot, stating the need for a Central Command that strives for decisive victories, strikes enemies, and protects settlers. This was seen as a severe accusation against Blot, who has overseen a significant decline in terror attacks and fatalities in the West Bank since assuming command in 2024.

Statistics presented show a drop in Israeli fatalities from 41 in 2023 to 20 in 2025, and only four in the first seven months of 2026, alongside a sharp decrease in terror incidents. Katz defended the use of administrative detention orders, acknowledging their democratic challenges but emphasizing their necessity in counterterrorism when evidence cannot be fully disclosed without compromising intelligence sources. He asserted that Blot’s decisions on such detentions are based solely on security considerations, not political bias.

The full column elaborating on these points is set to be published in the upcoming issue of the Religious Zionism weekly 'Matzav HaRuach'.