Defense Minister Katz Leaves Security Cabinet Meeting to Attend Likud Mayor's Son Wedding

Defense Minister Israel Katz left the Security Cabinet meeting on Thursday to attend the wedding of Yaakov Peretz's son, the longtime Likud-affiliated mayor of Kiryat Ata, held in Rishon Lezion. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, unaware of Katz's departure, inquired during the meeting, "Where is the Defense Minister?" The wedding was attended by other Likud figures, including Minister Haim Katz, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, and former Defense Minister Yoav Galant.

The Security Cabinet meeting took place amid heightened tensions on multiple fronts involving the Israel Defense Forces. Recent developments include a deadly bombing in Lebanon that ended a period of relative calm, new directives in Gaza requiring Chief of Staff approval for attacks, and intensified operations in the West Bank pushing military resources to their limits. Additionally, ongoing threats from Iran raise concerns about rapid escalation.

Katz's office stated that the minister conducted nearly 10 hours of security discussions at the Defense Ministry and Prime Minister's Office on the same day and declined to provide details about the security forums he attended.