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.

Israeli gov't rolls out new program for 3,000 haredi conscripts

Despite the initiative, many critics believe negative incentives are still needed to get haredim to serve.

 A haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Jewish man protest against IDF conscription, near Bnei Brak, June 5, 2025
Yair Golan, the leader of The Democrats, a left-wing political alliance, in his office in Tel Aviv last year.

Not a traitor: Israel's Right must stop the character assassination of Yair Golan - opinion

 Greta Thunberg aboard a flight after agreeing to leave Israel.

Greta Thunberg among voluntarily deported activists, eight remain in detention

Defense Minister Israel Katz next to an Israeli military vehicle. (illustration)

From Europe to Asia: Why Israel’s defense tech is in high demand - analysis


Defense Minister Israel Katz sets up committee to probe Army Radio

The committee, which will review the station’s future, will be chaired by retired Maj.-Gen. Yiftach Ron-Tal.

 Israeli minister of Defense Israel Katz attends a state ceremony for fallen Israeli soldiers whose burial place is unknown at Mount Herzl Military cemetery in Jerusalem on March 6, 2025.

Syria accuses Israel of escalation following Daraa strike

The IDF's Northern Command believes that Hamas terrorists based in Syria, encouraged by Hamas leadership, launched the rockets. 

 Smoke rises from an Israeli airstrike in Syria in December.

Defense Ministry awards security prize to 'movie-like' systems behind Nasrallah killing

"These are capabilities you only see in movies, which made a decisive contribution before the campaign against our enemies, and some even helped in the elimination of Nasrallah,” Israel Katz said.

 Defense Minister Israel Katz will award the Israel Security Prize for 2025 to the "Eitan" APC, the "Oron", "Shavit", and "Eitam" aircraft.

'Don’t threaten us with sanctions': Katz visits West Bank as new settlements approved

Katz also criticized French President Emmanuel Macron and others who support the recognition of a Palestinian state, saying such efforts would be meaningless.

 An illustrative image of Defense Minister Israel Katz.

WATCH: IDF troops destroy Hamas military assets in schools throughout Gaza

Over 800 explosive devices and other weapons that had been hidden throughout Gaza have been found and confiscated. 

 IDF finds Hamas weapons, explosives in Gaza, May 30, 2025.

Israel approves 22 West Bank settlements amid war with Hamas, pressure for Palestinian state

Legal Affairs correspondent Sarah Ben-Nun explains the context of settlement approval, touching on expansion during the Israel-Hamas War, IDF operations in the West Bank, and more.

A general view of houses in the Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim in the West Bank

Gov't approves establishment of 22 new West Bank settlements

The decision includes plans to renew settlement activity in northern Samaria and develop new communities along the Jordan Valley border.

 A map of 22 areas in the West Bank that were approved for new Israeli settlements, May 29, 2025.

Gov't to advance deportation of terrorists with Israeli citizenship, Katz says

Ofir Katz noted that he had been fighting for this legislation for two years, calling the move "historic.”

Palestinian security personnel and mourners seen in the West Bank city of Nablus, December 27, 2024

Israel destroys Houthis' final aircraft in strike on Saana International Airport

Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Israel was in the process of instituting an aerial and naval blockade on the Houthis.

 Israeli air force strikes Houthi targets in Sanaa's International Airport, May 28, 2025.

Katz blocks IDF MAG from speaking to lawyers association

Questions are rising whether the government is trying to silence progress on criminal probes against soldiers.

 IDF MILITARY Advocate-General Maj.-Gen. Yifat Tomer Yerushalmi is the Israeli military’s chief lawyer and has the task of defending Israelis from accusations of war crimes.

Katz instructs IDF not to summon Democrats chair Golan to reserve duty

During Golan's military service, he served as the IDF deputy chief of staff, Home Front Command, and Northern Command head.

 Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz over a background of humanitarian trucks entering the Gaza Strip; Illustrative