Israel’s former foreign minister Israel Katz appointed as the new defence minister after PM Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed his predecessor Yoav Gallant. Netanyahu stated that he now don’t trust Gallant’s way of handling Israeli military operations in Gaza and Lebanon. Netanyahu announced that Gideon Saar would replace Israel Katz as foreign minister. His appointment came at a time when Israel continues its military operations in Gaza.

This is not for the first time when Benjamin Netanyahu fired Yoav Gallant. Gallant was fired in 2023 few months back when Gaza conflict began.

Who is Israel Katz?

Katz was born in Ashkelon in 1955. He served in Israeli military from 1973 to 1977. Israel Katz has been the member of Knesset since 1998 and was part of committees, which handled defence portfolio. He has handled numerous ministerial role since 2003. He served a former finance, intelligence, energy, transport and agriculture minister before getting appointed as foreign minister in 2019. Now, he has been appointed as the Defence minister of Israel. Katz never held a top military position before.

Katz is a member of Netanyahu’s Likud Party. He entered into the Israel Defence Forces in 1973.  He also served as paratrooper. Katz left military in 1977. Katz is a prominent figure in Israeli politics. He is a long time ally to PM Netanyahu.  

Israel Katz On Being Appointed As Defence Minister

Israel Katz stated, “I thank PM Netanyahu for trust he placed in me in appointing me to the position of Minister of Defence. I accept this responsibility with sense of mission and holy fear for security of the state of Israel and its citizen.”

He further added, “We will work together to march the security system to victory against our enemies and to achieve the goals of the war the return of all the abductees as the most important value mission, the destruction of Hamas in Gaza, the defeat of Hezbollah in Lebanon, the containment of Iranian aggression and the return of the residents of the north and south to their homes in safety.”

PM Benjamin Netanyahu On Gallant

Netanyahu mentioned that, “Serious differences emerged between Gallant and me concerning the management of campaign.” He further added by saying that, “I made several attempts to bridge these gaps, but they only grew wider. These issues became publicly known in an unacceptable way, and worse, were noticed by our enemies, who took advantage of the situation.”

Also Read: Israeli PM Netanyahu Appoints Israel Katz As New Defence Minister After Firing Yoav Gallant