The Likud primaries: Minister of Defense Israel Katz announced this evening (Sunday) during an interview with the "Patriots" program on Channel 14 that he decided to appoint the major Dado Bar Khalifa For the position of Commander of the Central Command.
The announcement was made amid harsh criticism of the acting Central Command commander, Maj. Gen. Avi Balut.
Katz first addressed the issue of administrative detentions and claimed that he had abolished their use against Jews. During his remarks, one of the audience members burst out and claimed that his words were incorrect - but the minister replied: "I abolished the administrative detention orders, no one before me did.".
He later addressed the affair. Tal Yinon Dardik, and said that the Central Command general has authority to zone residential areas, but according to him, it should be used "in a very measured manner and in accordance with the Shin Bet recommendations.".
According to him, "The correct course is to open a criminal investigation and if there is no evidence then there is none, and if there is evidence then prosecute.".
The Defense Minister also attacked Bellot and the Attorney General's Office for their decision to appeal Dradik's release. "I disagree with him - he and the Attorney General's Office filed an appeal to the court, contrary to my policy. I also contacted the Chief of Staff about this issue. They did it contrary to my position, it's a wrong step. The Major General needs to take my policy into account - and I will stand by this.".
Later, Katz announced Bar Khalifa's appointment and said: "I announced that I have decided to implement the decision - to appoint Major General Dado Bar Khalifa as the general of the Central Command. Because I also want an IDF Central Command that strives for a decisive victory, that strikes at the enemies and protects the settlers.".
He signed off with the statement: "My control over the system is absolute control.".
The commentator Fellow He responded with an attack on the minister: "General Balut's sin - he acted professionally and while protecting the settlement, but not on the schedule of the Likud primaries. Simply complete madness.".
According to the security establishment, Tal Yinon Dardik is involved in the violent incident in Homsah in the Jordan Valley in March. According to the police, during the incident, Jews attacked Palestinians, including women and children, with clubs, tied up some of them, committed an indecent act on one of the victims, and four people required medical treatment.
The IDF spokesman responded and clarified: ""The Defense Minister's words did not match those of the Chief of Staff. Major General Avi Balut commands the Central Command in a complex reality, with professionalism, courage and sacrifice, and he enjoys full trust. The Chief of Staff does not intend to replace commanders in key positions during this sensitive period, and once such a decision is made by the Chief of Staff, it will be approved in accordance with procedures.".
Katz's office responded to the storm That broke out"As early as the end of April, the Chief of Staff, Major General Eyal Zamir, recommended to Defense Minister Yisrael Katz to appoint Major General Dado Bar Khalifa as commander of Central Command, and even asked him to interview him for the position.".
The Minister of Defense held a personal interview with Bar Khalifa during June, was impressed that he was the most suitable candidate to command the Central Command, and has now decided to announce the receipt of the Chief of Staff's recommendation and the expected appointment in the next round of appointments.".
The bureau added: "The Defense Minister's policy is to promote in the IDF commanders with a proven record of offensives and successes in the War of Rebirth, in accordance with the security policy that the Defense Minister leads together with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.".
