The latter announced, in a press release released Tuesday evening by his office, that he had appointed this 69-year-old man who was until then Minister of Foreign Affairs to replace Yoav Gallant in the Defense portfolio.
“We will work together to lead the Ministry of Defense to victory against the enemy and achieve the objectives of the war: the return of the hostages (…), the destruction of Hamas, the defeat of Hezbollah, the containment of Iranian aggression and the safe return of the inhabitants of the north and south (of Israel) to their homes,” Israel Katz said after his appointment.
A member of Likud, Netanyahu's ruling party, this politician, married and father of two children, has held several ministerial positions since 2003.
– Attacks against the UN –
As head of diplomacy, Mr. Katz attracted international attention with his targeted attacks against leaders and organizations that had criticized Israeli military operations, particularly in the Gaza Strip.
He waged a diplomatic battle against the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, whose activities the Israeli Parliament recently banned.
On Monday, Mr. Katz asked his ministry to formally notify the UN that Israel was canceling its agreements with UNRWA.
In October, Mr. Katz sparked outrage by declaring United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres persona non grata in Israel and writing in a message on X that he would bar him from entering his country.
Before becoming Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Katz was mainly Minister of Transport.
He spent ten years in these positions, from 2009 to 2019, but also held the Energy and Finance portfolios in several of Mr. Netanyahu's governments.
Aviv Bushinsky, a political commentator and former chief of staff to Mr Netanyahu, told AFP that Israel Katz would likely be more in tune with the prime minister than his defense predecessor Yoav Gallant.
“I don’t remember a single incident where Israel Katz opposed Netanyahu on anything,” he commented.
“It is true that he does not have military experience but he was a very good transport minister and served in government for many years,” Bushinsky added.
Born in the coastal city of Ashkelon, Israel Katz has been a prominent player in Israeli politics since becoming a member of Parliament, the Knesset, in 1998.
