Defense Minister Israel Katz's office responded Friday to reports he left the security cabinet meeting to attend a wedding, saying he held nearly 10 hours of security discussions. A video also shows Katz at an engagement party in Ashdod during the meeting. Prime Minister Netanyahu reportedly asked 'Where is the Defense Minister?' as Katz left the session.
The controversy over Defense Minister Israel Katz's departure from the security cabinet meeting deepened Friday morning as his office issued a statement and new video footage emerged. At 08:47 Jerusalem, The Zioneer initially reported, citing political commentator Michael Shemesh, that Katz left the session to attend the wedding of Kiryat Ata Mayor Yaakov Peretz's son, prompting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to ask, 'Where is the defense minister?' Shortly after, ynet confirmed the report.
Katz's office responded Friday stating that the minister held a series of security discussions totaling nearly 10 hours at the Defense Ministry and the Prime Minister's Office, without detailing the forums. Separately, a video circulated showing Katz attending an engagement party of the Rabbi Pinto family in Ashdod during the cabinet session, raising further questions about his schedule. The office did not directly address the timing of his departure from the meeting.
The incident unfolds amid heightened security tensions and ahead of expected Likud primaries. As The Zioneer reported on July 28, Katz previously attended a primaries event in Ariel while Netanyahu was on a sensitive diplomatic mission to the United States. The defense minister also met with the Likud Women group on July 3, according to a report.
It remains unclear whether Katz's claimed security discussions overlapped with the cabinet meeting or the engagement party. The office has not responded to the video evidence, and the prime minister's office has not commented on Netanyahu's reported question.
4 developments
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- 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
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