Israeli Defense Minister sticks to his position on appointments in an unprecedented dispute in Israel.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that he bears responsibility for approving appointments in the army from the rank of colonel and above, emphasizing the necessity of following the correct procedures in this regard. His statements came amid an unprecedented dispute with Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, centered around new appointments among senior officers.

Katz criticized attempts to change procedures by listening to advice from consultants he considers hostile to the government, indicating that these attempts will not succeed. He affirmed that he will continue to direct the army according to a clear offensive policy, especially after the attack that occurred on October 7.

Katz clarified that he is responsible for approving appointments after a recommendation from the Chief of Staff, noting the need for close monitoring of the army. He also confirmed that the damage inflicted on army officers due to the policy of listening to advice hostile to the government is negative and regrettable.

According to the Israeli Broadcasting Authority, Katz refused to approve the list of appointments prepared by the Chief of Staff, preventing the latter from entering his office despite a scheduled meeting between them. Despite this refusal, the army published a list of appointments for the rank of brigadier general without the signature of the Defense Minister.

Military leaders accused the political leadership, headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, of being behind the obstruction of appointments, considering that this is part of the pressure on the military institution to proceed with the plan to occupy the city of Gaza.

Military sources described what is happening as political extortion of the army during the war, indicating that this crisis undermines the harmony between the political and military leadership at a sensitive moment both on the ground and strategically.

Commenting on the dispute between Katz and Zamir, leader of the Democratic Party Yair Golan said that Netanyahu demands personal loyalty before the security of Israel, wanting a Chief of Staff who harms security and implements illusory plans.

Golan considered that harming the Chief of Staff harms the security of Israel, affirming that decades of courageous service by the Chief of Staff cannot be traded for the whims of Netanyahu, his family, and his partners.

Earlier, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized the current situation, noting that the appointment of officers in the army does not occur without leaks, brawls, and defamation, describing Netanyahu's government as crazy.