Defense Minister Israel Katz told Channel 14 he plans to appoint Maj.-Gen. Dado Bar Khalifa as the next head of the IDF's Central Command, criticizing the current commander Bluth's handling of West Bank violence. The IDF said Katz's statement was not coordinated with Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, who does not currently intend to remove Bluth. Katz's office says Zamir recommended Bar Khalifa in late April and that Katz interviewed him in June. Former prime minister Naftali Bennett condemned Katz's remarks and warned of internal disruption.
Defense Minister Katz Announces On Live TV He Intends To Replace IDF Central Command Chief — Army Says Statement Was Not Coordinated
Defense Minister Israel Katz attends a conference at Binyanei HaUma (Jerusalem International Convention Center) in Jerusalem, June 17, 2026. (photo credit: OREN BEN HAKOON/FLASH90)
Defense Minister Israel Katz announced during a live Channel 14 interview that he intends to appoint Maj.-Gen. Dado Bar Khalifa, currently head of the IDF Manpower Directorate, as the next commander of the Israel Defense Forces' Central Command.
Katz made the declaration Sunday night on Channel 14's program "The Patriots," saying the move was prompted by what he described as the current Central Command chief Bluth's unsatisfactory handling of extremist settler violence in the West Bank. Katz accused Bluth of being too severe in some efforts to restrain settlers while simultaneously failing to sufficiently confront Palestinian terrorism emanating from the West Bank.
IDF Response: The Israel Defense Forces said Katz's public statement had not been coordinated with IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir. The military added that Zamir does not currently intend to remove Bluth from his post, and reiterated that any personnel change would require the chief of staff's approval and must follow established protocols.
Katz's Office Statement: Katz's office issued a rebuttal noting that, according to its account, Zamir recommended in late April that Bar Khalifa be considered for the Central Command role. The office said Katz interviewed Bar Khalifa in June and judged him a suitable candidate to assume the post when a vacancy arises.
The damage following an attack by Israeli settlers in the village of Tell, near the West Bank city of Nablus, July 25, 2026. (credit: NASSER ISHTAYEH/FLASH90)
The dispute highlights tensions between civilian leadership and the military command structure over handling of violence and security policy in the West Bank.
Political Reaction: Former prime minister Naftali Bennett sharply criticized Katz's move, accusing the defense minister of attempting to "dismantle the IDF from the inside and ensure total chaos." Bennett wrote on X (Twitter) that the action would compound previous damage to the military and pledged that "reinforcements are on the way" to reverse the changes.
Photo caption: Damage after an attack by Israeli settlers in the village of Tell, near the West Bank city of Nablus, July 25, 2026. (Credit: NASSER ISHTAYEH/FLASH90)
Context and Next Steps: The episode underscores the formal role of the IDF chief of staff in approving senior command appointments. While Katz has signaled his preferred candidate publicly, any official change to the Central Command leadership would require Zamir's formal approval and adherence to military appointment procedures.
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