Netanyahu Appoints Israel Katz as New Defense Minister
In a significant reshuffle within his government, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has appointed Israel Katz as the new defense minister, following the dismissal of Yoav Gallant on Tuesday. The decision comes amidst ongoing military conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, highlighting deepening policy rifts within the Israeli leadership.
Netanyahu’s choice of Katz, who has been a close ally and a staunch supporter of the prime minister’s hardline stance, suggests that the new defense minister is unlikely to challenge or diverge from Netanyahu’s approach to cease-fire negotiations. In a video announcement, Netanyahu confirmed the appointment and also revealed that Gideon Saar would take over Katz’s previous role as foreign minister.
Katz’s term as foreign minister was marked by intense scrutiny and criticism of Israel’s military actions, particularly in the ongoing conflicts with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon—both of which receive support from Iran. His efforts were focused on countering the escalating global backlash against Israel’s tactics during these wars.
Notably, after Israel prohibited António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, from entering the country last month due to his perceived failure to unequivocally condemn an Iranian missile attack, Katz voiced strong criticism. He stated, “Anyone who cannot unequivocally condemn Iran’s heinous attack on Israel, as nearly all the countries of the world have done, does not deserve to set foot on Israeli soil.”
Israel Katz has a history in Israeli politics, having previously served as foreign minister from 2019 to 2020 before being reappointed in early 2024 as part of a political agreement established prior to Israel’s conflict with Hamas. His extensive resume includes roles as the minister of finance, transportation, energy, and agriculture, although he has never held a senior military position, contrasting with his predecessor Gallant, who had a notable military background.
In 2017, after former President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Katz, then minister of transportation and intelligence, proposed naming a train station after Trump in recognition of what he called “his courageous and historic decision.” A long-time member of the Likud party, Katz is also a known supporter of the settlement movement in Israel.
Before his dismissal, Netanyahu and Gallant had increasingly found themselves at odds over various issues, both related to military strategy and domestic policy. Their disagreements encompassed plans for the future governance of Gaza, ongoing cease-fire discussions, and contentious legislation aimed at overhauling the Israeli judiciary. Additionally, they clashed over the conscription of ultra-Orthodox Israelis into the armed forces. Netanyahu remarked, “In recent months, the trust between me and the defense minister was damaged.”
