In the midst of the conflict against Hamas and Hezbollah, Benjamin Netanyahu reorganizes his government. The Israeli Prime Minister announced, in a press release released Tuesday evening by his office, that he had appointed Israel Katz, until then Minister of Foreign Affairs, to replace Yoav Gallant in the Defense portfolio.
At 69, Israel Katz, described as a “bulldozer” by the media in his country because of his direct and sometimes abrasive style, is a long-time ally of Benjamin Netanyahu.
Numerous ministerial positions since 2003
“We will work together to lead the Department of Defense to victory against the enemy and achieve the goals 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 declared 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.
At the head of diplomacy, Israel Katz attracted the attention of the international community 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, he asked his ministry to officially notify the UN that Israel was canceling its agreements with UNRWA.
Standoff with Guterres
In October, Israel Katz sparked outrage by declaring UN 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 being Minister of Foreign Affairs, Israel 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 governments of Benyamin Netanyahu.
Our file on the Conflict in the Middle East
Aviv Bushinsky, political commentator and former Netanyahu chief of staff, believes Israel Katz will likely be more in tune with the prime minister than his defense predecessor Yoav Gallant. “I don’t remember a single incident in which Israel Katz opposed Netanyahu on anything,” he comments. “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.”
Born in the coastal city of Ashkelon, Israel Katz has been an important player in Israeli politics since becoming a member of Parliament, the Knesset, in 1998.
Related News :