Israel Katz Appointed as Israel’s Foreign Minister in Cabinet Reshuffle

Israel Katz, a seasoned politician from the Likud party, assumed the role of foreign minister of Israel on Monday, following a Knesset-approved power-sharing agreement. The agreement, which was established during the formation of the current government, facilitated Katz’s replacement of Eli Cohen. This swap will see Cohen taking over Katz’s former position as energy and infrastructure minister.

The Foreign Ministry plans to officially welcome Katz with a modest ceremony at its Jerusalem office on Tuesday. This role exchange, set for a two-year duration, is contingent on the government’s tenure, with a potential role reversal scheduled for the last year of the government in 2026.

Katz, who joined the Knesset in 1998 and previously held the foreign minister post briefly from 2019 to 2020, has also served in various capacities including as minister of agriculture, finance, intelligence, and transportation. His return to the Foreign Ministry occurs during a critical period marked by war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The Foreign Ministry has experienced significant leadership changes, with Katz being the fourth person to assume the role in less than two years. He inherits a challenging portfolio, especially with the Israeli-Gaza tensions. Upon his appointment, Katz emphasized the prioritization of the issue of Israeli hostages in Gaza.