Defense Minister Israel Katz condemned the attempted attack by Israeli settlers on IDF Central Command chief Major-General Avi Bluth on Friday night in Hebron in a statement on Saturday.
Katz said, "I strongly condemn the severe attack on the Central Command Commander, Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth, and IDF officers by a group of rioters in Hebron."
"Harming IDF commanders and soldiers, who dedicate their lives to the security of Israel and its citizens, is an attack on the State of Israel as a whole. I expect law enforcement authorities to prosecute those involved in the incident without delay and call on the settlement leadership to unequivocally condemn such actions."
אני מגנה בחריפות את התקיפה החמורה של מפקד פיקוד המרכז, אלוף אבי בלוט, וקציני צה"ל על ידי קבוצה של מתפרעים בחברון.פגיעה במפקדי וחיילי צה"ל, שמקדישים את חייהם לביטחון ישראל ואזרחיה, היא פגיעה במדינת ישראל כולה. אני מצפה מרשויות אכיפת החוק למצות את הדין עם המעורבים באירוע ללא…
— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) November 23, 2024
"The State of Israel will not tolerate any form of violence against its servicemen and women," Katz concluded.
Gallant condemns the incident
Former defense minister Yoav Gallant condemned the attempted attack in a post to X/Twitter on Saturday evening.
"I condemn the violent and criminal attack against the Central Command Commander, Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth," Gallant stated.
מגנה את ההתקפה האלימה והפושעת כנגד מפקד פיקוד המרכז, האלוף אבי בלוט.האלוף ופקודיו עושים לילות כימים לסיכול הטרור ולהבטחת ביטחון תושבי ישראל בכלל ומתיישבי יהודה ושומרון בפרט.אסור לנו להידמות לאויבינו, במדינת ישראל הסמכות להפעיל כוח נתונה רק לגופי הביטחון - עם הפורעים חייבים…
— יואב גלנט - Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) November 23, 2024
"The general and his subordinates work tirelessly day and night to thwart terrorism and ensure the security of Israel's residents, particularly the settlers of Judea and Samaria."
"We must not resemble our enemies. In the State of Israel, the authority to use force is reserved exclusively for the security forces. The full severity of the law must be swiftly applied to those responsible for these acts," Gallant concluded.
On Friday night in Hebron, dozens of settlers harassed and attempted to attack Central Command chief Major-General Avi Bluth.
According to reports, rioters chased Bluth and other officers who were with him and blocked the roads on his way to operational activity. They also shouted insults at him. Five rioters were arrested.
The IDF condemned the attack, stating that it "condemns and denounces violence of any kind against its service members and views incidents of this type with great severity."