Netanyahu Criticizes Defense Minister Over Social Media Comments and Authority

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly criticized Defense Minister Israel Katz during a cabinet meeting on Sunday, accusing him of "overstepping procedures" and engaging in "excessive tweeting". Although Netanyahu did not mention Katz by name, his remarks were clearly directed at him, as reported by Channel 14 Israel.

Netanyahu emphasized that critical security appointments, including the role of military attorney general, are made in direct consultation with him, signaling his disapproval of any statements or actions taken by Katz without prior coordination with the Prime Minister's office.

"Election Tweets"

Israeli sources indicated that a tweet Katz posted on Sunday morning, which Netanyahu labeled as part of an "attack on the primary elections," was not cleared with the Prime Minister. The tweet was seen as an attempt to assert political views that fall outside Katz's authority as Defense Minister.

Sources further noted that Katz's assertion about preventing the establishment of a Palestinian state directly interferes with political matters that are solely the responsibility of the government and its leader. Additionally, Katz's comments regarding the Israeli army's positioning in southern Syria touch on strategic issues relevant to upcoming political agreements, suggesting that such matters cannot be resolved through individual social media posts.

Efforts to Limit Social Media Statements

According to Israeli Army Radio, Netanyahu is attempting to rein in Katz's frequent social media statements, although observers express skepticism about his ability to manage this amid increasing internal competition within the coalition.

Katz's Controversial Statements

Katz stated in a post on "X" on Sunday morning that "Israeli policy is clear... There will be no Palestinian state," asserting that Israeli forces will continue to maintain positions on Mount Hermon and in the buffer zone along the Syrian border. He also emphasized the need to dismantle all tunnels in Gaza and disarm Hamas.

U.S. Pressures and Complex Negotiations

These remarks come as the U.S. administration intensifies its efforts to address the situation of Hamas fighters in tunnels in the Rafah area of the Gaza Strip, while also exerting pressure on Netanyahu's government to advance the second phase of the Gaza agreement.

The exchange between Netanyahu and Katz highlights the growing tensions within Israel's ruling body, amid the complexities of both internal and external security and political issues.