After dissing him and announcing his replacement, Katz now says Bluth performing ‘well,’ isn’t ousted

After denouncing IDF Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth during a live television broadcast last night, Defense Minister Israel Katz now says that the top officer is “performing his duties well.”

The latest statement appears to be a further attempt by Katz to walk back his remarks made on Channel 14, where he had also announced a replacement for Bluth.

It also comes shortly after Channel 13 news reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was furious at Katz over the debacle, calling his conduct “obscene.”

Katz met today with mayors and heads of regional councils in the West Bank, his office says.

During the meeting, Katz “emphasized that the IDF is acting in accordance with government policy, that Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth has not been dismissed, and that he supports and backs all IDF commanders and soldiers.”

“The minister added that Maj. Gen. Bluth is performing his duties well and that there is no disagreement between them,” Katz’s office says.

The statement also adds that the heads of the local authorities “expressed tremendous appreciation for Maj. Gen. Bluth for his leadership, his security and settlement achievements, and his extensive efforts on behalf of the security of the State of Israel, and rejected the campaign against the defense minister and the Central Command chief.”