ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Updated:

Defense Minister Israel Katz on Monday rejected the claim that he called for IDF Central Command chief Maj.-Gen. Avi Bluth's dismissal, calling the argument an outright lie that is part of a political campaign directed against the government.

During a live Sunday night interview with Channel 14’s The Patriots, Katz said that, "when one of the participants called to 'dismiss the general [Bluth],' I responded immediately and clearly: 'No.' The exchange was recorded on camera and is fully documented," he said.

Katz said the appointment process for IDF Manpower Directorate Chief Maj.-Gen. Dado  Bar Khalifa to Central Command commander had already been underway for months; "therefore, the attempt to suggest that any decision was made as a result of that interview does not stand up to the facts."

"This is not a genuine controversy but rather a media attempt to divert attention from the real question: What would happen if Yair Golan, who has already threatened to dismiss [Shin Bet chief] David Zini, were to become defense minister in a government led by Gadi Eisenkot?"

"In such a scenario, there is concern that figures associated with the old "conceptzia" would once again be appointed, something that could harm the settlement enterprise and Israel's security," Katz said. "That did not happen under my watch, and it will not happen."

IDF Maj.-Gen. Avi Bluth, head of the Central Command, seen as Palestinians pass through the Kalandiya checkpoint on their way to attend the first Friday prayers of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, February 20, 2026
IDF Maj.-Gen. Avi Bluth, head of the Central Command, seen as Palestinians pass through the Kalandiya checkpoint on their way to attend the first Friday prayers of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, February 20, 2026 (credit: CHAIM GOLDBERG/FLASH90)

Katz accuses Bluth of being overly harsh to settler violence, neglecting terrorism 

During the interview with Channel 14, Katz explained that his decision was made due to Bluth’s allegedly unsatisfactory handling of extremist settler violence in the West Bank. He accused Bluth of being overly harsh in efforts to combat Israeli settler violence while neglecting the fight against Palestinian terrorism from the West Bank.

According to the IDF, Katz’s statement was not coordinated with IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir. The military stated that Zamir does not intend to remove Bluth from his position at this time and that when any such decision is made, it will require Zamir's approval in accordance with the required protocols.

Katz’s office released a statement claiming that as early as the end of April, Zamir recommended Katz appoint Bar Khalifa as the Commander of the IDF’s Central Command.

According to the statement, Katz interviewed Bar Khalifa in June and deemed him a suitable candidate to take over the position when the time comes to appoint a new Central Command head.

Goldie Katz contributed to this report.