Israel Katz: What to know about 'Israel's' new Defense Minister

Israel Katz, a right-wing politician from the Likud party, was born in 1955 and has held various ministerial positions, currently serving as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and a member of the Security Cabinet in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's 37th government.

Katz is known for his extreme policies against Arab presence in Palestine, advocating for settlement expansion and opposing the two-state solution.

He proposed a controversial initiative during the recent Gaza aggression, suggesting the creation of an artificial island off the Gaza coast to relocate its residents.

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Early Life and Education

Born in Ashkelon on Sept. 21, 1955, to Romanian immigrant parents, Katz grew up in a farming settlement and has a background in agriculture. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science and international relations from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Military and Political Career

Katz served in the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF), where he rose through the ranks. His political career began in the early 1980s while studying at university, and he was elected to the Knesset for the first time in 1998. He has held several ministerial roles, including Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Transportation, and Minister of Intelligence.

In 2019, he began his first term as Minister of Foreign Affairs, and he was appointed Minister of Finance during the COVID-19 pandemic. As of January 2024, he has resumed the role of Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Artificial Island Proposal

Katz's controversial proposal for an artificial island off Gaza aims to create a new home for its residents, complete with a port and airport. This idea resurfaced during discussions with European counterparts post-aggression but faced significant criticism.

Israeli Occupation Foreign Ministry denied that Katz intended to displace Gaza's population, clarifying that the proposal focused on establishing a commercial hub rather than resettlement.