Primaries in Central Command
Defense Minister Israel Katz is engaged in a public confrontation with Central Command chief Avi Bluth, seen as an attempt to position himself as a 'right-wing defense minister' ahead of Likud primaries. The article claims the move is political and harms the IDF chain of command, quoting sources who praise Bluth and warn of severe consequences for the military.
Defense Minister Israel Katz is engaged in a public confrontation with Central Command chief Avi Bluth, seen as an attempt to position himself as a 'right-wing defense minister' ahead of Likud primaries. The article claims the move is political and harms the IDF chain of command, quoting sources who praise Bluth and warn of severe consequences for the military. Among those quoted: Bezalel Smotrich, who called Bluth 'the best major general in 20-30 years'; Davidi Ben Zion, who stated that 'what Avi Bluth did for the settlement movement, no politician did before him'; and Shai Alon, who described the dismissal moves as 'a shame and a disgrace'. Brig. Gen. (res.) Ofer Winter said that 'a defense minister in the State of Israel does not fire a major general live on air'. The article emphasizes that undermining the authority of commanders could erode motivation and discipline in the army, and that the IDF is not a party center.