Tel Aviv, Aug. 3 -- Defense Minister Israel Katz triggered an unprecedented public clash with the Israel Defense Forces after announcing during a live television interview that he was replacing IDF Central Command chief Maj Gen Avi Bluth, accusing him of acting against government policy in the handling of a violent settler case.
The military swiftly pushed back, issuing a statement that Bluth would remain in his post and making clear that the defense minister does not have the authority to unilaterally dismiss the senior commander.
Katz told the live TV studio audience, therefore, that he had decided to appoint IDF Personnel Directorate chief Maj Gen Dado Bar Kalifa as the next Central Command chief, replacing Bluth.
"In any case, it was...