Katz reasserts control over military amid tensions with IOF chief
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Israeli Security Minister Israel Katz plans to continue overseeing army appointments and force deployment under a clear offensive policy over the armed forces.
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Then-Israeli transport Minister, now Security Minister, Israel Katz, attends the cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's office in occupied al-Quds, on February 17, 2019. (AP)
Israeli Security Minister Israel Katz confirmed he will continue to direct the military on multiple fronts in line with a "clear offensive policy," emphasizing that the aftermath of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood requires strict oversight and supervision of the armed forces.
Katz said, "The situation after October 7 cannot tolerate an army that is not subject to oversight and supervision."
He stated that he monitors the security establishment and remains actively involved in the development of military force and senior-level appointments, adding, "I will continue to monitor and guide the army, and I am proud of the appointments I approved to the army command after October 7."
Clarifying the chain of command, Katz noted that the minister of security is responsible for approving all appointments at the rank of colonel and above, while the chief of staff is tasked with making recommendations.
Katz criticized any efforts to bypass this system, stating, "Attempts to change procedures by listening to the advice of advisors hostile to the government and imposing a fait accompli will not succeed."
He also warned that taking guidance from those he described as hostile to the government has harmed army officers, concluding that, "The harm done to army officers by the policy of listening to advice from those hostile to the government is negative and regrettable."
IOF chief, security minister clash over senior military reshuffle
The statement comes after Katz clashed with the IOF Chief of Staff, Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, over a series of senior military appointments, deepened tensions between the political and military leadership in "Israel".
He criticized Zamir for holding discussions to appoint and reshuffle senior IOF positions, including seven division commanders and new heads of the Armored and Engineering Corps, without what Katz said was proper consultation or coordination. That said, current protocols require the security minister’s approval for senior IOF posts, including any position with the rank of brigadier general.
Sources close to Katz said the security minister would not approve the appointments, which were announced publicly by the IOF despite his objections. According to Israeli military sources, Katz is seeking to establish a precedent similar to that of Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir regarding senior police appointments.
Katz’s office issued a statement asserting that Zamir’s actions went against "established procedure" and that all such appointments must be coordinated in advance. In turn, the IOF Spokesperson’s Unit responded that the listed appointments, many involving officers who commanded in Gaza since the outbreak of the war, were conditional on Katz’s approval but fell under the chief of staff’s sole authority before being forwarded to the minister.
