Katz denies calling to dismiss Central Command commander

Enemy media: Defense Minister Israel Katz said attempts to portray his remarks as a call to dismiss the Commander of the Central Command during a broadcast are a blatant lie and part of a political campaign against the government. He said that on April 24 the Chief of Staff recommended appointing Maj. Gen. Dado Bar Kalifa, head of the IDF Personnel Directorate, as Commander of the Central Command, and that on July 28 he accepted the Chief of Staff’s recommendation. After interviewing Bar Kalifa, he concluded that he was the most suitable candidate and decided to advance the appointment according to the established procedures. Katz said that during yesterday’s interview, when one participant called for "the general to be dismissed," he immediately replied: "No," and said the exchange is documented on video. He added that the claim the decision was made as a result of the interview does not stand up to the facts, and said the dispute is a media-driven attempt to divert attention from the real question.