Israel's former foreign minister Israel Katz is the country's new defence minister after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ousted his predecessor Yoav Gallant.
In a shocking announcement, Netanyahu said he no longer trusts Gallant's handling of Israeli military operations in Gaza and Lebanon.
I salute Israel’s fallen troops and their families, our wounded veterans, the hostages and their families, all of the IDF’s troops and security forces.
— יואב גלנט - Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) November 5, 2024
I trust you and salute you. pic.twitter.com/7BuM2v8fyT
Who is Israel Katz?
Israel Katz has been a Knesset member since 1998 and has been part of committees that handled the defence portfolio. He was formerly the minister of finance, intelligence, energy, transport and agriculture before becoming foreign minister in 2019.
עדכון חשוב ממני אליכם >> pic.twitter.com/YlpNkaljRb
— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) November 5, 2024
Katz is a member of Netanyahu's Likud party. He served as paratrooper after being drafted into military in 1973. He left the military in 1977.
Pointing out that he was fired over disagreement with Netanyahu, Gallant said he believed that he could bring back the hostages from Gaza if Israel can allow "painful concessions" that IDF can bear.
Gallant is also against exempting the Ultra Orthodox citizens from serving in the military.
However, this is not the first time Netanyahu fired Gallant. Gallant was fired in 2023 months before the Gaza conflict began in October last year. However, he was reinstated after public outcry.
The latest ouster has also sparked protests across Israel with many accusing Netanyahu of endangering Israel and the hostages taken by Hamas.
Gallant said "the security of the state of Israel was and will always remain the mission of my life".
