Israel Katz

'Complete fabrication': Netanyahu, Katz deny plans to fire IDF chief Zamir ahead of election

Katz and Netanyahu reject reports of plans to dismiss IDF chief Eyal Zamir amid tensions over Iran, as Eisenkot weighs in ahead of Tuesday's elections.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir attend the graduation ceremony of an IDF officers’ course in southern Israel, June 25, 2026.
Israeli settlers next to a fire amid clashes with Palestinians during olive harvest in Abu Falah near Ramallah in the West Bank, October 16, 2026.

Settler violence is a political blind spot in Israel’s election campaign - opinion

Activists greet as a boat taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla, which aims to reach Gaza and break Israel’s naval blockade, departs from a port in the southern Turkish resort of Marmaris, Turkey, May 14, 2026.

Turkey opens trial of Netanyahu, 34 other Israelis over Gaza-bound Sumud flotilla interception

Hezbollah flag mural provides backdrop for gun-wielding shadows.

Defense Ministry sanctions UK registered company after transfer of fuel to Hezbollah-owned company


Netanyahu orders West Bank crackdown after two Israelis killed in terror shooting amid clashes

PM, Defense Minister Katz announce increased troop deployments, new checkpoints, expanded counterterrorism measures • Terror shooting followed confrontation involving settlers, IDF, and Palestinians

(From R-L) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, National Security Council head Shmuel Ben-Ezra, military secretary Maj.-Gen. Guy Markizeno, IDF chief Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, IDF Intelligence head Maj.-Gen. Shlomi Binder, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Shin Bet head David Zini consult, July 24, 2026.

IDF is ready and prepared for fighting with Iran to resume, Arabic spokesperson Waweya says

"We do not wait for missiles to fall or for the enemy to knock on our door before getting ready," Lt. Col. Ella Waweya said.

Maj. Ella Waweya, the new Arabic language spokesperson.

Iran will face a 'crushing blow' if it attacks Israel, Katz warns after security assessment

Western intelligence assessments suggest Iran may seek to draw Israel into a confrontation and could even choose to act first, Ynet reported on Thursday.

Defense Minister Israel Katz in a meeting with high-ranking IDF officials.

Katz goes all out against IDF attempts to reduce Jewish violence against Palestinians - analysis

Defense minister tries to veto IDF Central Command Chief Avi Bluth from using restraining orders on alleged Jewish extremists after already blocking administrative detention.

Israeli soldiers disperse with tear gas Palestinians who had gathered as a fire blazes near the village of Tell, adjacent to the Israeli settlement of Havat Gilad, west of Nablus in the West Bank on July 18, 2026.

'Zero tolerance': Katz bans Omri Ronen from IDF service following reserve duty refusal remarks

Ronen, who joined The Democrats Party in February, is a leader of the Brothers and Sisters in Arms organization, having participated in protests against the government’s judicial reform. 

New member of the Democrats party Omri Ronen at a faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on February 16, 2026.

'Committed to protecting Israel from every threat': Katz confirms he spoke with Hegseth on Iran war

Katz also briefed Hegseth onIsrael’s operations against terrorist groups operating in Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine hold a briefing amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, at the Pentagon in Washington.

Israel Katz's populist push to pardon Elor Azaria puts Israel at serious risk - comment

Azaria was not convicted of mere "negligent homicide", but of manslaughter for his actions in 2016.

Israeli soldier Elor Azaria, who was caught on video shooting a wounded Palestinian assailant in the head as he lay on the ground, sits during a hearing at a military appeals court in Tel Aviv during which he was charged with manslaughter on April 18, 2016.

Katz requests pardon for Elor Azaria, convicted of killing incapacitated Palestinian attacker

The IDF position is contrary to the defense minister's, Katz notes in Azaria's pardon request • Request seeks to expunge criminal record after Azaria was released from prison in 2018

Elor Azaria sits to hear his verdict in a military court in Tel Aviv, Israel, January 4, 2017

IDF chief Zamir clashes with Netanyahu, Katz over bill exempting haredi draft dodgers from arrests

In a sharply worded letter, Zamir said the haredi exemption law would harm recruitment and create serious security risks for the IDF.

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir attends a Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem, May 10, 2026.

Shin Bet begins probe into leak of wartime intel. to media outlet under pressure from Netanyahu

Since there was no intention to question journalists about the leak, but only members of the defense establishment, the Shin Bet ruled that there is no need to obtain the A-G's approval.

Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) Director David Zini visits at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem during Memorial Day which commemorates the fallen Israeli soldiers and victims of terror, on April 21, 2026.