Defense Minister Announces Replacement of Central Command Chief - Clash With IDF Leadership

 Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has announced his decision to replace Gen. Avi Bluth as head of the Israel Defense Forces' Central Command, appointing Maj. Gen. Dado Bar Kalifa, the current head of the IDF Personnel Directorate, in a move that has sparked an unprecedented confrontation between Israel's political and military leadership.

The announcement, made during a live television interview on Channel 14, reportedly caught senior military officials by surprise and immediately drew opposition from IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, who said the decision had not been coordinated with him and that he has no intention of replacing commanders in key operational positions at this stage.

According to military sources, neither Bluth nor Bar Kalifa had been informed of the planned appointment before Katz made the announcement publicly.

Dispute Over Administrative Order

The confrontation follows a dispute between Katz and Bluth over an administrative restriction order issued against Tal Yonon Dardik, an Israeli settler and far-right activist suspected of involvement in a violent raid on the Palestinian community of Khirbet Humsa in the northern Jordan Valley earlier this year.

Bluth, together with state prosecutors, challenged Katz's decision not to renew the administrative order restricting Dardik's movements.

Speaking during the television interview, Katz criticized the appeal, saying it contradicted government policy.

"He and the State Attorney's Office appealed against my policy," Katz said. "I had already intended to appoint Dado Bar Kalifa, and I decided to implement that decision."

Katz: 'The System Is Under My Authority'

Katz defended the move as part of his authority as defense minister and stressed that the government—not military commanders—sets national security policy.

"No one will force the government to change the policy approved unanimously by the cabinet," Katz said.

He added that he wants military commanders who are committed to defeating Israel's enemies while ensuring the protection of Israeli communities in the West Bank.

"The system is under my authority," Katz said. "In the north, the south and the center, I want an IDF that seeks victory, strikes our enemies and protects the settlers."

Military Officials View Move as Politically Motivated

Senior military sources criticized the announcement, describing it as a political move and expressing concern over what they characterized as an attempt to undermine the professional independence of senior commanders.

Officials said discussions over a broader round of senior military appointments have been underway for months but that no final decisions had been made. Bluth had reportedly been considered a leading candidate to become the next head of the IDF Military Intelligence Directorate.

Military officials are now awaiting Chief of Staff Zamir's response before determining how the appointment process will proceed.

Background: Khirbet Humsa Investigation

The dispute stems from the March attack on the Palestinian community of Khirbet Humsa, where Israeli authorities are investigating allegations that settlers carried out violent assaults against residents.

According to witness accounts cited in Israeli media, the incident included severe physical violence, property destruction, theft and intimidation. Several suspects were later arrested on allegations including aggravated assault, armed robbery and other violent offenses.

Months later, Bluth signed an administrative restriction order against Dardik based on classified intelligence. The order stated that intelligence information indicated his alleged involvement in repeated violent activity against Palestinians and their property, as well as encouraging others to participate in such acts.

Katz later decided not to extend the order and recently visited Dardik while he was in custody. Several lawmakers from right-wing parties have publicly called for Dardik's release.

Civil-Military Tensions Intensify

The dispute has become one of the clearest public confrontations between Israel's political leadership and the military command since the current government took office.

The disagreement raises broader questions about the balance of authority between elected officials, who determine national policy, and the IDF's professional leadership, which is responsible for implementing security decisions and operational command.

Whether Katz's announcement will lead to an immediate change in Central Command leadership remains uncertain, as the appointment process traditionally requires close coordination between the defense minister and the IDF chief of staff.