Overview
- Defense Minister Israel Katz said Sunday evening that he will appoint Maj. Gen. Dado Bar Kalifa to replace Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth as Central Command commander after criticizing Bluth on live Channel 14 television.
- The IDF responded that Katz’s statement was not coordinated with Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and said the chief of staff does not intend to change key commanders during sensitive operations.
- Katz’s on-air attack stemmed from disagreement over the handling of settler suspect Tal Yinon Dardik and from Katz’s stated preference for criminal investigation over administrative restraints in the case.
- Katz’s office says Zamir recommended Bar Kalifa in late April, that Katz interviewed him in June, and that the appointment is expected in the next personnel round, while Katz has also denied that he formally dismissed Bluth during the interview.
- The episode sharpens a rare public rift between the defense minister and the IDF, injects political timing ahead of Likud primaries, and could affect command cohesion and rules for West Bank policing in the coming personnel cycle.