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Olmert Accuses IDF Central Commander of Aiding Settler Violence; Army Rejects Claims
Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert accused Major General Avi Bluth, the Commander of the IDF Central Command, of aiding Jewish terror in Judea and Samaria. In an interview broadcast on Friday, Olmert claimed that Bluth succumbed to pressure and threats of violence from local public leaders, declaring a closed military zone without justification. According to Olmert, these actions directly violate Bluth's obligation to maintain law and order and protect all residents, both Jewish and Palestinian.
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What happened
- 01Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert accused IDF Central Command chief Major General Avi Bluth of actively aiding Jewish terror in Judea and Samaria.
- 02Olmert claimed Bluth succumbed to pressure from local leaders by declaring an unjustified closed military zone.
- 03According to Olmert, Bluth failed in his duty to maintain law and order and protect both Jewish and Palestinian residents.
- 04Olmert alleged that public leaders, government ministers, and the Prime Minister support Jewish terror, but singled out Bluth as its primary facilitator.
- 05The IDF strongly rejected Olmert's accusations, describing them as defamatory, offensive, and entirely baseless.
- 06The military stated that Bluth conducts his duties professionally based solely on security assessments and professional considerations.
- 07The IDF Chief of Staff expressed full backing for Major General Bluth and all other military commanders.
Olmert further asserted that Jewish terror in the region is supported by public and political leadership, including current government ministers and the Prime Minister. However, he singled out Bluth as being at the forefront of actively assisting this terror, specifically accusing him of backing rioters who attack Palestinians and prevent olive harvests. Olmert emphasized that these were the most severe and direct accusations he had ever made against a senior military officer in his decades-long public career.
The IDF strongly rejected Olmert's accusations, calling them defamatory, offensive, and baseless. The military stated that Bluth acts professionally to fight terror, protect all residents, and maintain security based solely on professional considerations and security assessments. The IDF added that the Chief of Staff fully backs Bluth and all other commanders in the field.
Summarized by baba from the reports of 3 newsrooms. Updated
Latest report: i24NEWS Arabic. Read i24NEWS Arabic’s originalThe coverage
3 newsrooms on this story
Who covered it
- LeftNone
- Centre2
- Right1
- HarediNone
- ArabNone
