Israel Defense Minister Israel Katz Dismisses Central Command Chief Avi Bluth, Names Dado Bar‑Khalifa as Successor

Israel Katz Avi Bluth Dado Bar‑Khalifa Central Command Tal Yinon Dardik

Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on live television that Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth, commander of the Israel Defense Forces’ Central Command responsible for the West Bank, would be removed and replaced by Maj. Gen. Dado Bar‑Khalifa. The announcement was made without prior coordination with Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, and the IDF issued a statement saying it had no intention to change senior commanders during the current sensitive period. The dispute originated from Bluth’s refusal to renew an administrative restraining order against settler Tal Yinon Dardik, a move Katz opposed. Katz also declared that his control over the military system is “absolute.” The decision sparked a political backlash: opposition lawmakers called for Katz’s dismissal, while right‑wing and settler leaders defended Bluth. The chief of staff had previously recommended Bar‑Khalifa for the post in April, and the IDF reiterated that any commander change must follow established procedures.

Entities

Avi Blot · Avi Bluth · Ayal Zamir · Central Command (Israel) · Dado Bar‑Khalifa · David Bar Kalifa · Eyal Zamir · Israel Defense Forces Central Command · Israel Defense Minister Israel Katz · Israel Katz · Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir · Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 8 SOURCES] Avi Bluth has served as Central Command chief since July 2024, a tenure of more than two years. vinnews.com · www.aftonbladet.se · almanartv.com.lb · www.sydsvenskan.se · www.archyworldys.com · +2 more
[● 9 SOURCES] Maj. Gen. Dado Bar‑Khalifa will become the new commander of the IDF Central Command. www.aftonbladet.se · vinnews.com · almanartv.com.lb · www.sydsvenskan.se · www.archyworldys.com · +2 more
[● 9 SOURCES] Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on live TV that Avi Bluth will be replaced as IDF Central Command chief. www.aftonbladet.se · vinnews.com · almanartv.com.lb · www.sydsvenskan.se · www.archyworldys.com · +2 more
[● 9 SOURCES] The IDF said the announcement was not coordinated with Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir. vinnews.com · www.aftonbladet.se · almanartv.com.lb · www.sydsvenskan.se · www.archyworldys.com · +2 more
[● 8 SOURCES] The IDF praised Bluth’s performance and said there was no intention to replace senior commanders during the sensitive period. vinnews.com · www.aftonbladet.se · almanartv.com.lb · www.sydsvenskan.se · www.archyworldys.com · +2 more
[● 8 SOURCES] The dispute that prompted the replacement involved an administrative restraining order against settler Tal Yinon Dardik. www.aftonbladet.se · vinnews.com · almanartv.com.lb · www.sydsvenskan.se · www.vilaweb.cat · +2 more
[● 9 SOURCES] Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir had recommended Bar‑Khalifa for the Central Command post in April. vinnews.com · www.aftonbladet.se · almanartv.com.lb · www.sydsvenskan.se · www.archyworldys.com · +2 more
[● 8 SOURCES] Katz claimed his control over the military system is absolute. www.aftonbladet.se · vinnews.com · almanartv.com.lb · www.sydsvenskan.se · www.archyworldys.com · +2 more