Netanyahu Criticizes Defense Minister Katz Over Social Media Statements

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly criticized Defense Minister Israel Katz during the government meeting on Sunday, without naming him directly. He accused Katz of "overstepping procedures" and "excessively tweeting" while attempting to claim security successes for himself, according to reports from Israeli Channel 14.

Netanyahu emphasized that sensitive security appointments, including the position of military attorney general, are made in direct coordination with him, indicating his disapproval of Katz's unilateral actions and statements.

"Election Tweets"

Israeli sources reported that a tweet posted by Katz on Sunday morning, which Netanyahu described as part of a "preliminary electoral attack," was not coordinated with the Prime Minister. The tweet aimed to assert political positions that fall outside the Defense Minister's authority.

Sources added that Katz's declaration regarding the prohibition of a Palestinian state constitutes direct interference in political matters reserved for the government and its leader. His comments on the positioning of the Israeli army in southern Syria touch on strategic issues related to upcoming political agreements and cannot be addressed through individual posts.

Efforts to Curb "Tweets"

According to Israeli Army Radio, Netanyahu is attempting to limit Katz's increasing social media statements, but observers are skeptical about his ability to do so amid rising internal competition within the coalition.

Statements by Katz That Escalated Tensions

Katz stated in a post on "X" on Sunday morning that "Israeli policy is clear... There will be no Palestinian state," adding that Israeli forces would remain on Mount Hermon and in the buffer zone at the Syrian border, while insisting on "the dismantling of all tunnels in Gaza and the disarmament of Hamas."

American Pressure and Complex Negotiations

These statements come as the U.S. administration intensifies efforts to address the crisis of Hamas fighters entrenched in tunnels in the Rafah area of southern Gaza, alongside pressure from Washington on Netanyahu's government to advance to the second phase of the Gaza agreement.

The verbal confrontation between Netanyahu and Katz reflects rising tensions within Israel's governing body amid the complexities of security and political issues both domestically and internationally.