Israeli Defense Minister Announces Central Command Change Amid Controversy Over Coordination with IDF Chief

First reported by Arutz Sheva · 2 hours ago

What happened

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced live his plan to replace Central Command Chief Avi Blot with Dado Bar-Kalifa, causing a public dispute with the IDF Chief of Staff who denied coordination. Katz's office claimed the move followed the Chief of Staff's recommendation. The announcement drew sharp criticism from former military leaders and political figures, while some politicians supported the decision. The controversy highlights tensions between Israel's political and military leadership over command appointments during a sensitive security period.

• 01Defense Minister Israel Katz announced live the replacement of Central Command Chief Avi Blot with Dado Bar-Kalifa.
• 02IDF spokesperson said Katz's announcement was not coordinated with Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, who supports Blot.
• 03Katz's office claimed the appointment was based on Zamir's recommendation from April.
• 04Former IDF Chief Gadi Eisenkot and ex-PM Naftali Bennett sharply criticized the public dismissal.
• 05Retired Brigadier General Ofer Winter condemned the dismissal method as damaging to public trust.
• 06Otzma Yehudit's Limor Son Har-Melech praised Katz, accusing Blot of failing to focus on terrorism and opposing government policy.

Summary translated & synthesized from the sources below by baba. Read each original for the full report.

Full coverage · 9 outlets

The same event, reported separately by each newsroom. Open a few to compare what each emphasizes — and what they leave out.

Behadrei HaredimRight · Hebrew29 minutes ago

Israeli Defense Minister Announces Central Command Change Amid Controversy Over Coordination with IDF Chief

Now 14Right · Hebrew37 minutes ago

Defense Minister Katz Announces Central Command Change Amid IDF Chief's Rare Reprimand

Kikar HaShabbatRight · Hebrew39 minutes ago

Defense Minister Katz Appoints Aluf Dado Bar-Kalifa as Central Command Chief

N12Center · Hebrew40 minutes ago

Defense Minister Katz Sparks Political Storm with Live Announcement to Replace Central Command Chief

MakoCenter · Hebrew40 minutes ago

Defense Minister Katz Sparks Political Storm with Unilateral Central Command Change Announcement

Now 14Right · Hebrew1 hour ago

Defense Minister Katz Responds to IDF Chief on Central Command Appointment

YnetCenter · Hebrew1 hour ago

Defense Minister Katz Approves Appointment of Dado Bar-Kalifa as Central Command Chief

Arutz ShevaRight · Hebrew1 hour ago

Hagai Segal Condemns Defense Minister Katz's Live Dismissal of IDF Commander Blot

Now 14Right · Hebrew1 hour ago

IDF Denies Defense Minister Katz's Announcement on Central Command Leadership Change

YnetCenter · Hebrew1 hour ago

MK Limor Son Har-Melech Praises Defense Minister for Removing Central Command Chief

YnetCenter · Hebrew1 hour ago

Former PM Bennett and Ex-IDF Chief Eizenkot Condemn Defense Minister Katz's Command Change Announcement

Now 14Right · Hebrew1 hour ago

Defense Minister Israel Katz Announces Live Replacement of Central Command Chief

WallaCenter · Hebrew2 hours ago

Defense Minister Katz Announces Live Dismissal of Central Command Chief Avi Blot

Arutz ShevaRight · Hebrew2 hours ago

Military Reporter Accuses Defense Minister Katz of Political Interference in Commander Replacement Amid Corruption Allegations

Kan NewsCenter · Hebrew2 hours ago

IDF Officials Criticize Defense Minister Katz for Attempting to Replace Central Command Chief

N12Center · Hebrew2 hours ago

Defense Minister Israel Katz Names Dado Bar-Kalifa as New Central Command Chief Amidst Tensions

MakoCenter · Hebrew2 hours ago

Defense Minister Israel Katz Appoints Dado Bar-Kalifa as New Central Command Chief Amid Tensions

Behadrei HaredimRight · Hebrew2 hours ago

Defense Minister Katz Names Successor to Central Command Chief Amid Tensions

Arutz ShevaRight · Hebrew2 hours ago

Defense Minister Katz Sparks Controversy by Replacing Central Command Chief Amid Political Tensions

YnetCenter · Hebrew2 hours ago

Israel Katz Names Dado Bar Kalifa as New Central Command Chief, Replacing Avi Blot

Kikar HaShabbatRight · Hebrew2 hours ago

Defense Minister Israel Katz Names Dado Bar-Kalifa as New Central Command Chief

YnetCenter · Hebrew2 hours ago

Israeli Defense Minister Announces Replacement for Central Command Chief Amid Dispute

Arutz ShevaRight · Hebrew2 hours ago

Defense Minister Katz Appoints New Central Command Chief Amid Sharp Criticism of Predecessor

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