Defense minister announces on live TV that he’s replacing IDF’s top West Bank general

Defense Minister Israel Katz denounces IDF Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth and announces a replacement for him on live television. He says Bluth contravened his policy by seeking to renew a restraining order against a violent settler, and that this is unacceptable.

Speaking with the right-wing Channel 14 news, Katz also asserts that he has “absolute” control over what is needed in the IDF.

Bluth has been Central Command chief for over two years, since July 2024. The role is normally two to three years, although it is unclear if Bluth intended to continue serving for three years.

Haaretz reports that the IDF is outraged by Katz’s decision, and that both Bluth and Bar Kalifa were unaware of the move before the defense minister announced it.

Katz says Bluth acted contrary to his stated policy over an administrative restraining order against a violent settler.

The order against Tal Yinon Dardik was repealed on a technicality, and Katz instructed Bluth not to renew it.

He says Bluth and the Military Advocate General’s Corps filed an appeal to the court against the release of Dardik, “contrary to my policy.”

“They did it against my position; it was the wrong step. [The IDF’s West Bank commander] must take my policy into account, and I will insist on this,” Katz says.

Katz declares that he has therefore decided to appoint IDF Personnel Directorate chief Maj. Gen. Dado Bar Kalifa as the next Central Command chief.

“In any case, it was intended — there is the general, Dado Bar Kalifa, who was the commander of the 36th Division… from the generation of heroes who take the offensive, and I announced that I decided to carry out the intention and to appoint him as the general in charge of Central Command,” Katz tells the live TV studio audience. “By the way, the chief of staff recommended him.”

Adds Katz: “In the north, the south and the center, I want an IDF that strives for decisive victory, an IDF that hurts its enemies, and protects the settlers … Nobody will compel the government to change policy that the prime minister brought to the cabinet and was unanimously approved.”