Serving generals deserve better than Katz’s political theater - editorial

Defense Minister Israel Katz has drawn sharp criticism for publicly discussing the potential replacement of Maj.-Gen. Avi Bluth, commander of the Central Command, during a television interview on a partisan channel. The incident has led to an institutional confrontation between the defense minister's office and the IDF.

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No.

Katz insists he did not announce Bluth's dismissal, stating that the appointment process for his successor, Maj.-Gen. Dado Bar Khalifa, was already underway. He claims the discussion was technically accurate, as Bar Khalifa's candidacy had been considered months prior. However, the IDF issued a strong response, asserting that Katz's statement was uncoordinated with the Chief of Staff. The IDF stressed that Bluth commands amid a complex reality with "professionalism, bravery, and dedication" and deserves complete trust.

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The IDF further stated that the Chief of Staff did not intend to change key commanders before the upcoming elections and that any decisions would follow the proper chain of command. Katz's clarification, issued after the backlash, is largely viewed as damage control, failing to resolve the core issue of the format and timing of his public remarks.

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The political stunt appears to have satisfied neither settler activists, some of whom have criticized Bluth, nor other prominent figures who have defended the general's security record. The episode has instead reduced a critical military command to a political loyalty test, potentially undermining the commander's ability to navigate the combustible arena of the Central Command, which is responsible for counter-terrorism, protecting communities, and managing volatile situations.

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No.