‘Bulldozer’ Katz, long-time ally of Israel’s Netanyahu

‘Bulldozer’ Katz, long-time ally of Israel’s Netanyahu
Israel’s new Defense Minister Israel Katz, known for his abrasive style, is a long-time ally and loyalist of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (Reuters)
Short Url
Updated 06 November 2024
Follow

‘Bulldozer’ Katz, long-time ally of Israel’s Netanyahu

‘Bulldozer’ Katz, long-time ally of Israel’s Netanyahu
  • Katz, 69, labelled by Israeli media as a “bulldozer” for his direct and sometimes abrasive style, is considered both close and loyal to Netanyahu

JERUSALEM: Israel’s new Defense Minister Israel Katz, known for his abrasive style, is a long-time ally and loyalist of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In a dramatic announcement late on Tuesday, Netanyahu sacked defense minister Yoav Gallant over what he said was a breakdown in trust during the Gaza war against Hamas.
“Over the past few months that trust has eroded. In light of this, I decided today to end the term of the defense minister,” Netanyahu said in a statement issued by his office.
The statement added that he had appointed Foreign Minister Israel Katz to take Gallant’s place.
Katz, 69, labelled by Israeli media as a “bulldozer” for his direct and sometimes abrasive style, is considered both close and loyal to Netanyahu.
After his appointment, Katz vowed to defeat Israel’s enemies and achieve the country’s war goals.
“We will work together to lead the defense establishment to victory over our enemies and to achieve the goals of the war: the return of all hostages as the most important moral mission, the destruction of Hamas in Gaza, the defeat of Hezbollah in Lebanon, the containment of Iranian aggression, and the safe return of the residents of the north and south to their homes,” he said in a statement.
A member of Netanyahu’s ruling Likud party, in which he was previously president of the party’s convention, Katz has held multiple cabinet roles going back to 2003.
As foreign minister, Katz drew international attention for his pointed attacks on world leaders and international organizations that had expressed opposition to Israeli military actions, particularly in Gaza.
He spearheaded a diplomatic battle against the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, and last month Israel’s parliament banned the agency from working in Israel and occupied east Jerusalem.
On Monday, Katz instructed his ministry to formally notify the United Nations that Israel was canceling its agreements with UNRWA.
Last month Katz triggered outrage when he declared UN chief Antonio Guterres “persona non grata in Israel” and wrote in a post on X that he would ban him from entering the country.
Before serving as foreign minister, Katz’s most notable role was as minister of transport.
He spent a decade in the post from 2009-2019, but had also held the energy and finance portfolios in various Netanyahu cabinets.
Aviv Bushinsky, a political commentator and Netanyahu’s former chief of staff, told AFP that Katz was likely to be more in tune with the prime minister than his predecessor Gallant.
“I cannot recall an incident when Israel Katz was in opposition to Netanyahu with anything,” Bushinsky said.
“It is true he does not have any military experience, but he was a very good transport minister and has sat in the cabinet for many years,” he added.
“Besides, Netanyahu thinks he can run the show himself — and he has managed to run the show even though Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot, two generals, quit the government.”
Born in the coastal city of Ashkelon, Katz has been a prominent player in Israeli politics since becoming a member of parliament, the Knesset, in 1998.
Today he is among the highest-ranking ministers in the Likud party.
Married with two children, Katz is a resident of Moshav Kfar Ahim in southern Israel.


Kuwait ruler urges ‘immediate ceasefire’ for Gaza at 45th GCC Summit

Kuwait ruler urges ‘immediate ceasefire’ for Gaza at 45th GCC Summit
Updated 01 December 2024
Follow

Kuwait ruler urges ‘immediate ceasefire’ for Gaza at 45th GCC Summit

Kuwait ruler urges ‘immediate ceasefire’ for Gaza at 45th GCC Summit
  • The summit aims to underscore the importance of collective action among nations in the region
  • Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah echoed support for a two-state solution on Palestinian issue

RIYADH: Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has called for an immediate ceasefire and has renewed condemnation of the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

In his opening speech for the 45th GCC Summit being hosted by his country, the Kuwait ruler also called international community “to play its role in implementing Security Council resolutions on Gaza.”

“Civilians in Gaza must be protected and provided with aid,” he said.

“We reiterate our unwavering support to Palestine and to end the Israeli occupation, attain all their political rights, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international resolutions,” he stressed.

“We also commend Qatar, Egypt, and the US for their mediation efforts in achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and welcome the ceasefire in Lebanon as a step toward de-escalation.”

The Emir also echoed support for a two-state solution on the Palestinian issue, and reiterated “We support Saudi efforts to push for two-state solution.”

Gulf leaders earlier arrived in Kuwait ahead of the 45th GCC summit, which aimed to underscore the importance of collective action among nations in the region.

GCC Secretary General Jassem Al-Budaiwi, said the summit was yet another milestone in the chain of accomplishments for attaining the aspired pan-GCC merger, in a statement published by Kuwaiti state news agency KUNA.

It is rather a platform for the leaders to coordinate their visions and stands toward regional and international issues, said Al-Budaiwi, revealing that leaders would look into strategic files designed to strengthen regional security and stability, in addition to backing up sustainable economic development in the six countries, members of the bloc.

“We recall with pride the developments and innovations that all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have reached, becoming an example to be followed in security, development, flourishing as well as a destination for regional excellence in overall progress,” according to Saudi Ambassador to Kuwait Prince Sultan bin Saad Al-Saud, in a separate KUNA report.

The Saudi envoy affirmed that the GCC had carried out its international duties within the frame of the international community, championing wisdom and balance in the regional and international arenas.

The GCC is a beacon of hope in the region and it has worked as a unifier of efforts by all GCC citizens, he added.

Among those who have arrived in Kuwait, which hosts the event, are Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Qatar’s Ruler Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Bahraini Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers Sayyed Fahad bin Mahmoud Al-Said.

The Saudi official delegation includes Minister of State and Member of the Council of Ministers Prince Turki bin Mohammad, Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Minister of State, Member of the Council of Ministers and National Security Advisor Dr. Musaid Al-Aiban, Minister of Finance Mohammad Al-Jadaan, Minister of Transport Saleh Al-Jasser and other senior officials, KUNA reported.


White House says ‘not there yet’ on Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal

Palestinian children stare at a building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip on December 1.
Palestinian children stare at a building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip on December 1.
Updated 01 December 2024
Follow

White House says ‘not there yet’ on Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal

Palestinian children stare at a building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip on December 1.
  • “We are working actively to try to make it happen. We are engaged deeply with the key players in the region, and there is activity even today,” said Jake Sullivan

WASHINGTON: The White House is working on a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza but is “not there yet,” the US National Security Adviser told NBC on Sunday, with fighting in the conflict raging on as Arab leaders meet in Cairo to discuss the crisis.
“We are working actively to try to make it happen. We are engaged deeply with the key players in the region, and there is activity even today,” said Jake Sullivan, according to a transcript released by the broadcaster.
“There will be further conversations and consultations, and our hope is that we can generate a ceasefire and hostage deal, but we’re not there yet,” he added.
Sullivan’s comments came a day after Israel hit Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, days into a fragile ceasefire in its conflict with the Iran-backed group.
Addressing that conflict, Sullivan lauded the ceasefire deal and said the US was working with Lebanon’s military to ensure it was implemented “effectively.”
“We need to protect it and ensure that it is fully implemented,” he told NBC.
In an apparent reference to the Israeli strikes, Sullivan said both parties “have the right, consistent with international law, to take action in self-defense if they’re facing imminent threats.”
Speaking in Jerusalem on Sunday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said there were “indications” progress could be made on a deal securing the release of hostages by Hamas in Gaza.
“There are signs we may see a greater degree of flexibility from Hamas as a result of circumstances that have developed, including the agreement with Lebanon,” he said.
“There is a desire to move forward on this. I hope it can progress. We are committed to the return of the hostages — it’s a responsibility we must uphold.”
Saar asserted, however, that Hamas “cannot be allowed” to continue to rule Gaza.
Hamas seized 251 hostages during its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, with 97 still being held in Gaza, including 34 who have been confirmed to be dead.
The armed group’s attack resulted in 1,207 deaths, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.
In response, Israel launched a withering military campaign on Gaza, killing at least 44,429 there, most of them civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry that the UN considers reliable.
Much of Gaza has been reduced to rubble, with its population dependent on humanitarian aid that the UN on Sunday said it would pause delivery of through the key Kerem Shalom crossing due to security concerns.


Palestinians say Israeli military kills two in West Bank

People inspect a car damaged during an Israeli raid, in Sir, near Jenin in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, December 1, 2024.
People inspect a car damaged during an Israeli raid, in Sir, near Jenin in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, December 1, 2024.
Updated 01 December 2024
Follow

Palestinians say Israeli military kills two in West Bank

People inspect a car damaged during an Israeli raid, in Sir, near Jenin in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, December 1, 2024.
  • Palestinian Red Crescent said Israeli forces were “preventing our teams from reaching the bombing site near the village of Siir”
  • Two vehicles had been destroyed near a wooded area, and eyewitnesses said the army removed two bodies from a second site that had been hit

JENIN: The Palestinian health ministry said the Israeli army killed two people in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, after Israel’s military announced a strike in the area of Jenin.
The ministry said in a statement two people were killed “due to the occupation’s aggression on the village of Siir in the Jenin district,” referring to Israel.
Hours earlier, Israel’s military said in a statement that “an IAF (Israeli air force) aircraft conducted a strike on terrorists in the area of Jenin.”
The Palestinian Red Crescent said Israeli forces were “preventing our teams from reaching the bombing site near the village of Siir.”
Israeli soldiers entered the village at around 7:00 am (0500 GMT) on Sunday and had withdrawn by the afternoon, an AFP photographer said.
Two vehicles had been destroyed near a wooded area, and eyewitnesses said the army removed two bodies from a second site that had been hit, the journalist added.
Last month, the Israeli army launched several raids in Jenin, killing nine people, the majority of them Palestinian militants.
Two Palestinians, including a teenage boy, were also killed during an Israeli raid in the West Bank village of Yabad on November 24, the Palestinian Authority said.
Violence in the West Bank, particularly in the north of the territory, has soared since the war in Gaza began in October last year after Hamas’s attack on Israel.
Israeli troops or settlers have killed at least 780 Palestinians in the West Bank during the Gaza war, according to the Ramallah-based health ministry.
Palestinian attacks on Israelis have also killed at least 24 people in the West Bank in the same period, according to Israeli official figures.
Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967.


Yemen’s Houthis targeted ‘vital target’ in central Israel, spokesman says

Yemen’s Houthis targeted ‘vital target’ in central Israel, spokesman says
Updated 01 December 2024
Follow

Yemen’s Houthis targeted ‘vital target’ in central Israel, spokesman says

Yemen’s Houthis targeted ‘vital target’ in central Israel, spokesman says

Yemen’s Houthis launched a military operation on a “vital target” in central Israel using a hypersonic missile, the group’s military spokesman, Yahya Sarea, said in a televised address on Sunday.

Earlier on Sunday the Israeli military said that a projectile launched from Yemen was intercepted before it crossed into Israeli territory.

The military earlier said sirens had sounded in a number of areas in central Israel following a launch from Yemen.

The Houthis have fired missiles and drones at Israel repeatedly in what they say is solidarity with the Palestinians, since the Gaza war began in 2023.


Pope Francis urges Lebanon to elect a new president immediately

Pope Francis urges Lebanon to elect a new president immediately
Updated 01 December 2024
Follow

Pope Francis urges Lebanon to elect a new president immediately

Pope Francis urges Lebanon to elect a new president immediately
  • Lebanese parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri has called a presidential election for January 9 in a bid to end a two-year leadership vacuum

VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis called on Lebanese politicians on Sunday to urgently elect a new president, to get the country’s governing institutions functioning again.
“I address an urgent invitation to all Lebanese politicians to elect the president of the republic immediately,” the pontiff said at Saint Peter’s Square at the end of Sunday Angelus prayer.
Lebanon’s institutions need to “start functioning normally again to undertake the necessary reforms and sustain the country’s role as an example of peaceful cohabitation between different religions,” Francis said.
Lebanese parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri has called a presidential election for January 9 in a bid to end a two-year leadership vacuum.
Lebanon has been without a president since Michel Aoun’s term ended in October 2022.
Neither of the two main blocs in parliament — the Iran-backed Hezbollah and its opponents — have the majority required to elect a head of state and they have been unable to agree on a consensus candidate.