According to a report by journalist Yossi Mizrahi, Defense Minister Israel Katz attended the wedding of the son of Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto, a convicted criminal, while the security cabinet was in session. The report follows an earlier account that Katz left the cabinet meeting for a wedding, now specified as Pinto's son.
A new report from journalist Yossi Mizrahi, cited by N12, has clarified that Defense Minister Israel Katz left the security cabinet meeting on Friday morning to attend the wedding of the son of Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto, a convicted criminal. This update refines the earlier identification of the wedding host, which had been reported as Kiryat Ata Mayor Yaakov Peretz. The new detail, emerging as the cabinet was reportedly discussing security matters, sharpens the focus on the minister's priorities during a sensitive session.
The story first broke on Friday, Aug 7, when political commentator Michael Shemesh reported that Katz had left the cabinet meeting mid-session to attend the wedding of the son of Kiryat Ata Mayor Yaakov Peretz, and that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had asked, "Where is the defense minister?" Shortly after, ynet confirmed the account, noting the mayor was a Likud affiliate. Katz's office later responded, asserting that the minister had held nearly 10 hours of security discussions after leaving the session, and additional video footage showed Katz at an engagement party in Ashdod during the meeting. N13 commentary then claimed Katz prioritized political events over Gaza disarmament discussions. The Zioneer reported on the initial developments at 08:47 Jerusalem time, and continued to update the thread as new details emerged.
As The Zioneer reported earlier, the security cabinet meeting was addressing Gaza Strip disarmament plans, according to N13 and Army Radio. The defense minister's absence from the session drew attention, with the prime minister reportedly questioning his whereabouts. The wedding of Pinto's son, now identified as the event Katz attended, involves a figure convicted of financial crimes, adding a layer of scrutiny to the minister's choices.
Katz's office has not yet commented on the specific identification of the wedding as that of Pinto's son. The full scope of the cabinet's discussions and any potential impact of the minister's absence remains unclear based on available reports.
4 developments
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