Former Netanyahu ally Erdan says Katz move to dismiss general ‘a new low’

By Sam Sokol 3 August 2026, 10:11 am

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Sam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"

Gilad Erdan take part in a special ceremony for a new bulletproof ambulance donated by the Harvest Christian Fellowship to Magen David Adom, at the Tower of David in the Old City of Jerusalem, June 1, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Gilad Erdan, a former Likud politician widely expected to form a rival party for the upcoming elections, accuses Defense Minister Israel Katz of engaging in “petty politics at the expense of our security” following the televised announcement of his decision to remove IDF Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth from his post on Sunday evening.

“This time he has sunk to a new low: dismissing a dedicated IDF general live on air. This is not right-wing. This is a corrupted right-wing that shames us all,” Erdan, a former confidant of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declares in a post on X. “A real right-wing respects IDF officers, a real right-wing backs IDF officers and acts out of consideration for the good of the state and not for personal gain.”

While Katz’s move has sparked wide condemnation, Erdan is one of the first still closely tied to Likud to speak out against him.

Erdan served as ambassador to the UN and US before being replaced in both posts in 2024. He is rumored to be set to establish a new “Likud B” party with fellow Likud castoff Yuli Edelstein, aiming to capture support from Likud faithful who no longer back its longtime leader.