Likud MP attacks government over military appointment row

Knesset member Tali Gotlev has launched a sharp attack on Israeli Interior Minister Israel Katz, claiming he should have stood firm on the dismissal of Avi Blot rather than apologise for the decision. Gotlev’s criticism highlights deepening tensions within the governing coalition over how the government has handled the controversial appointment row. The Interior Minister had previously withdrawn his support for Blot’s nomination to a senior position, triggering a public dispute within government ranks. Gotlev argued that backing down from the initial decision represented weakness and set a poor precedent for future government appointments. Meanwhile, senior Likud party figures have issued warnings about the risks of further politicising the Israeli Defence Forces, expressing concern that ongoing rows over military appointments could undermine the military’s independence and institutional integrity. The tensions reflect broader disagreements within the coalition about the appropriate level of political involvement in senior defence force positions, an issue that has become increasingly contentious in recent months.

Source: Maariv — Original article in Hebrew.