"They Used to Do Purges in Style": Minister Katz Shares Video of Saddam Hussein | Watch

Defense Minister Israel Katz shared a video on X of Saddam Hussein purging party members, as a joke amid the controversy over the future of Central Command chief Avi Bluth. Katz denied calling for Bluth's dismissal on air, calling it an "absolute lie" and a political campaign against the government. Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir announced he would not appoint new generals until 2027 due to the elections.

Defense Minister Israel Katz shared a video on X of Saddam Hussein purging party members, with the caption "They used to do purges here in style." The move comes amid a political storm after Katz announced live on air the replacement of Central Command chief Avi Bluth with Dado Bar Kalifa, and later denied calling for his dismissal, calling it an "absolute lie" and a "political campaign." Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir announced he would not appoint new generals until 2027 due to the elections, so Bluth will remain in his post. The historical video, filmed on July 22, 1979, shows Saddam reading the names of 68 alleged "conspirators" who were removed from the hall and put on trial for treason; hundreds were executed on August 1, 1979. Katz claimed that the process for appointing Bar Kalifa began back in April, on the recommendation of the Chief of Staff, and that there is no connection to the interview.