Defense Minister Israel Katz left a security cabinet meeting on Friday morning to attend the wedding of the son of Kiryat Ata Mayor Yaakov Peretz, a Likud affiliate, according to a report. The departure drew questions about the minister's priorities during ongoing security deliberations.
Defense Minister Israel Katz left the security cabinet meeting on Friday morning to attend the wedding of the son of Kiryat Ata Mayor Yaakov Peretz, a Likud affiliate, according to a report. The departure was initially reported by political commentator Michael Shemesh at 08:47 Jerusalem, and then confirmed by ynet. As Katz left the session, Prime Minister Netanyahu reportedly asked, 'Where is the Defense Minister?' Katz's office later responded that he held nearly 10 hours of security discussions after leaving, but a video also showed Katz at an engagement party in Ashdod during the meeting, raising questions about his priorities.
At 08:47 Jerusalem, The Zioneer published a series of reports on the incident. The initial report cited Shemesh saying Katz left the cabinet mid-session to attend the wedding. Simultaneously, ynet confirmed the report. Katz's office issued a response claiming he held 10 hours of security talks, and a video emerged showing him at an engagement party in Ashdod. Also at 08:47, N13 commentary by Moriah Asraf and Doron Kadosh noted that Katz had shown little interest in a previous cabinet meeting on Gaza disarmament, preferring to attend weddings and parties linked to Likud primaries.
The Zioneer has previously reported on Katz's prioritization of political events over security duties. On July 28, 2025, The Zioneer reported that Katz attended a primaries event in Ariel while Netanyahu was on a sensitive diplomatic mission in the US. On July 27, 2025, The Zioneer reported that Katz was designated to lead the cabinet during Netanyahu's US trip. On August 3, 2025, The Zioneer reported that Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir held a security discussion after a publicized confrontation. These reports paint a pattern of Katz engaging in political activities during critical security times.
The exact timing of the cabinet meeting and the wedding remain unspecified. The authenticity of Katz's office claim of 10 hours of security talks could not be independently verified. Questions remain about the extent of Katz's engagement with the security agenda during the session.
4 developments
- DevelopingNew report: Katz attended Pinto wedding while cabinet met, contradicting earlier account
- DevelopingMinister Ben-Gvir attends bar mitzvah of Yoa’s son
- DevelopingDefense Minister Katz met with Likud Women group amid Lebanon tensions, report says
- DevelopingDefense Minister Katz meets with right-wing activists in Tel Aviv office
Source and signal
- Open-source intake