Israel Katz

Israel Katz is an Israeli lawmaker and member of the Likud Party. He currently serves as the country's defense minister, having previously served as this government's foreign minister and energy minister.

Katz has served many other ministerial roles in the past, specifically as transportation minister, agriculture minister, intelligence minister, and finance minister.

He is considered a hardliner in Israeli politics regarding peace and security, supporting settlements and West Bank annexation, but has also advocated for the establishment of an autonomous Palestinian entity.

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Who will be IDF's new chief? Israel Katz to begin selection process Sunday

Dark Horse candidate Maj.-Gen. Tamir Yadai makes the list, subverting expectations.

A-G: Israel Katz's 'principals' for haredi IDF draft not up to constitutional standards

Katz said that the bill includes financial sanctions against any yeshiva that does not meet its quota and against men who are issued draft orders but do not show up.

IDF slams Jewish extremists of West Bank village attack, no mention of soldier

Bluth said that from an initial probe, dozens of extremist Jewish-Israelis with facemasks attacked Funduk by perpetrating arson against Palestinian property in the village.

 DEFENSE MINISTER Israel Katz appears at a committee meeting in the Knesset on Tuesday.

Defense Minister Katz thinks Israelis are idiots

The problem runs deeper. Judging by his first two months as defense minister, Katz’s other task is to shift blame for the October 7 fiasco from the politicians to the generals.

The government needs to expand haredi recruitment into IDF

The government has to encourage a fast and vast shift within haredi society, showing that military service and keeping the faith are not contradictions.

'Why are you making a Schindler's List?' Hostages families interrupt FADC

The committee was interrupted for 30 minutes while Katz and Likud MK Yuli Edelstein sat in silence. 

Katz to FADC: My bill will bring tens of thousands of haredim into IDF

Katz said that over seven years, his bill would succeed at integrating tens of thousands of haredim into the military. Opposition MKs accused him of ignoring the IDF's needs.

 Silhouette of a man wearing headphones behind a laptop against a background of the Yemeni flag

Houthis ramp up internal arrests amid fears of spy infiltrations

The cause for the heightened suspicion of spy presence comes after a series of senior Houthi leaders were recently killed.

By AVI ASHKENAZI
10/01/2025

Grow up, now: Katz-Halevi conflict weakens Israel’s national security

Let’s be clear: While Israel’s enemies remain united in their goal to destroy us, our leaders seem intent on undermining each other.

Defense Minister warns of potential war in West Bank, recommends IDF response measures

In the meeting with local authorities, Katz discussed that Hamas originally planned to include West Bank communities in their October 7 attacks.

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