Israel Katz, a veteran politician from the Likud party, has taken the helm as Israel's Foreign Minister this Monday, under a power-sharing arrangement endorsed by the Knesset. This political maneuver, part of the ongoing government formation process, has led to Katz succeeding Eli Cohen, who now assumes Katzโs former responsibilities as the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure.
The Foreign Ministry is set to honor Katz with a simple yet significant ceremony at its Jerusalem office on Tuesday. This ministerial rotation, intended to last for two years, aligns with the current government's tenure. A potential reversal of roles is anticipated in the final year of this administration, in 2026.
Mazal tov to @Israel_katz, Israel's new Foreign Minister! The challenges in post October 7th era have never been greater, but you also have an incredible team at @IsraelMFA. Will be proud to stand alongside you, in unwavering advocacy for the Jewish state! pic.twitter.com/IWoRBaBdEo
โ Arsen Ostrovsky ๐๏ธ (@Ostrov_A) January 2, 2024
Katz's political journey, which began with his Knesset entry in 1998, is marked by his brief tenure as Foreign Minister from 2019 to 2020. His career has spanned various ministerial roles, including agriculture, finance, intelligence, and transportation. His reappointment to the Foreign Ministry comes at a pivotal time, especially given the ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
The Foreign Ministry has seen a rapid turnover in leadership, with Katz being the fourth individual to take up this role in under two years. He inherits a complex and demanding portfolio, central to which are the tensions between Israel and Gaza. Upon assuming office, Katz has put the issue of Israeli hostages in Gaza at the forefront of his agenda.
This morning, Eli Cohen made his last speech as Minister of Foreign Affairs, as Israel Katz started his term with these words: "Our top priority is: hostages, hostages and hostages. It's our engagement to the people and the families." pic.twitter.com/CHEzRrhkQP
โ Samuel Sabbah (@Samuel_Sabbah) January 2, 2024
During a ceremony in Jerusalem, marking his tenure's commencement, Katz stated that Israel is engaged in a critical conflict against Iran and radical Islam, likening it to a "World War III" scenario. He assured that the new administration is committed to overthrowing Hamas.
Addressing diplomats and ministry staff, Katz prioritized the return of Israeli hostages, asserting the nation's commitment to launching new initiatives and applying international pressure for their safe return. He reiterated the importance of this issue on various platforms, emphasizing, "The hostages. The hostages. The hostages."
ื ืื ืกืชื ืืืื ืืชืคืงืืื ืืฉืจ ืืืืฅ. ืืืกืจ ืฉืื ืืขืืืืื ืืื ืชืืฆืืชื. ืืจืืฉ ืกืืจ ืืขืืืคืืืืช - ืืืืคืื. ืืืืคืื. ืืืืคืื. ืื ืืืืืืืืช ืฉืื ื ืืขื ืืืืฉืคืืืช.
โ ืืฉืจืื ืโืฅ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) January 2, 2024
Katz also highlighted the necessity of maintaining global support for Israel's ongoing actions against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Cohen, now serving as the Energy Minister, emphasized the continuous efforts to keep the plight of the hostages at the forefront of international discussions. He noted that since October 7, the Foreign Ministry has garnered unprecedented global support for Israel's stance.
This reshuffling of roles within the Israeli government reflects a strategic approach to address the complex geopolitical challenges facing the nation, particularly in its relations with Gaza and broader regional conflicts. Katz's experience and previous tenure as Foreign Minister position him as a key figure in navigating these challenges and reinforcing Israel's stance on the international stage.
