He succeeds Yoav Gallant, dismissed by Benjamin Netanyahu with whom relations had become tense during the war in Gaza. Current head of diplomacy, Israel Katz was appointed Minister of Defense on Tuesday, November 5, the Israeli Prime Minister announced. He will be replaced as Minister of Foreign Affairs by Gideon Saar.
A few minutes after the announcement, the brand new Israeli Defense Minister said he wanted to defeat “the enemy” and achieve “the objectives of the war” against Palestinian Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah.
“We will work together to lead the Ministry of Defense to victory against the enemy and to 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 people of the north and south (of Israel) to their homes,” wrote Israel Katz on X.
A member of the Knesset for more than 25 years, Israel Katz was first Minister of Agriculture under Ariel Sharon before joining Benjamin Netanyahu’s close guard as Minister of Transport, Minister of Intelligence, Minister of Finance and Minister of Energy.
Last January, he became foreign minister for a second time in the sixth Netanyahu government, succeeding Eli Cohen. According to Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel Katz “combines the responsibility and calm problem-solving qualities that are essential to leading this campaign.”
Israel Katz, loyal to Benjamin Netanyahu, had notably firmly opposed the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, declaring him “persona non grata in Israel”. He criticized him in particular for not having condemned Iran’s attack on Israel at the beginning of October.
“Anyone who cannot unequivocally condemn Iran’s heinous attack on Israel does not deserve to set foot on Israeli soil. We are dealing with an anti-Israeli secretary general who supports terrorists, rapists and murderers,” Israel Katz said in a statement at the time.
“In the midst of war, trust is more than ever required between the Prime Minister and his Minister of Defense” but “in recent months, this trust has been eroded,” said Benjamin Netanyahu in a letter addressed to Yoav Gallant, adding having “chosen to appoint Minister Israel Katz to replace him”. The current head of diplomacy, Israel Katz, “has already demonstrated his capabilities and contributions to national security,” wrote the Israeli Prime Minister to explain his choice.
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