Defense Minster Israel Katz confirms IDF Central Command Chief not dismissed
Defense Minister Israel Katz clarified that IDF Central Command Chief Maj.-Gen. Avi Bluth has not been dismissed, contradicting his own previous statement. The meeting also highlighted the government's recent efforts to expand settlements and combat terrorism in the West Bank.
Why it matters
The clarification addresses internal military leadership stability and underscores the current Israeli government's aggressive policy shift regarding West Bank settlements.
Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized that IDF Central Command Head Maj.-Gen. Avi Bluth has not been dismissed in a meeting with heads of local authorities from the West Bank on Monday, according to a joint statement from Katz and the authority heads.Katz stated that Bluth is performing well in his role as head of Central Command, contradicting a statement he made during a live Channel 14 interview on Sunday, in which he initially said Bluth was dismissed. The calls for removal come after Bluth received backlash for pursuing contradictory policies and allegedly allowing Arab terrorism to intensify. The remainder of the meeting primarily centered on plans for combating Palestinian terrorism and strengthening communities in the West Bank after violent incidents in the region saw a spike in recent weeks.
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