Conflict arises: Chief of Staff makes new appointments, Defense Minister voices disapproval
IDF Staffing Dispute: Katz Rejects Appointments Without Prior Coordination
In a surprising turn of events, Defense Minister Israel Katz has refused to approve a series of senior IDF appointments, citing a lack of prior coordination and defiance of his instructions [1][2]. The appointments, which were decided during a staffing discussion chaired by IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir on Monday, have sparked controversy and tension between the two leaders.
The appointments included the promotion of 14 officers to the rank of brigadier general, as well as four officers elevated to colonel. Among the notable appointments were Brig. Gen. Manny Liberty, who is appointed to command the 98th Division, and Col. Liron Betito, who is now the new leader of the Gaza Division, having commanded the Givati Brigade during the war.
However, Katz's office issued a statement saying the discussion was conducted contrary to the Defense Minister's directive and without prior coordination. This decision has been met with anger from the Defense Minister, who announced he would not approve the appointments.
Despite the sharply worded statement, Zamir decided to distribute the list of appointments to the media. In response, Katz did not receive Zamir when he arrived at his office to discuss the appointments, citing a busy schedule and emphasizing that he is not a "rubber stamp" for automatic approval.
Katz has made it clear that any future appointments must be coordinated in advance with him before discussion or approval. He also emphasized that the most urgent priorities are the defeat of Hamas in Gaza and the release of hostages, and that promotion decisions will reflect success in this mission as well as a review of officers' performance during the October 7 events and other incidents.
Following tensions, Katz and Zamir met on August 14 to seek unity amid ongoing Gaza operations, and Katz insisted on acting as a single leadership unit to complete the mission, while Zamir called for mutual trust and cooperation between military and political leadership. However, as of the latest updates in mid-August 2025, Katz's refusal to approve the appointments without prior coordination and his insistence on strict adherence to procedures stands as the Defense Minister's official position.
In the midst of this dispute, several officers have been reassigned to new positions. Brig. Gen. Manor Yanai, Chief of Staff at the Southern Command during the October 7 attack, will transition to the role of Chief of Staff for the Ground Forces. Brig. Gen. Eliad Moati, previously in charge of the Tzeelim training base, is appointed as the new commander of the 210th Division. Col. Yair Zukerman, who commanded the Nahal Brigade during the conflict, is assigned to head the prestigious Company and Battalion Commanders Course.
This ongoing dispute between the IDF Chief of Staff and the Defense Minister regarding military staffing decisions and authority reflects a complex dynamic within the Israeli military leadership. As the situation develops, it will be interesting to see how this dispute is resolved and how it may impact future military operations.
Politics surrounding the IDF staffing controversy intensifies as Defense Minister Israel Katz insists on policy-and-legislation compliance and prior coordination in all appointments, raising questions about the relationship between war-and-conflicts decision-making and policy-and-legislation within the Israeli military leadership. In the general-news landscape, the dispute's resolution and potential implications for future military operations are keenly observed.
