Katz vows Israel will act against ‘every threat, near and far,’ in apparent jab at Iran

Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent

Defense Minister Israel Katz speaks at a cadets' graduation ceremony at the Bahad 1 officers' school in southern Israel, February 19, 2026. (Screenshot/Israel Defense Forces)
Defense Minister Israel Katz speaks at a cadets' graduation ceremony at the Bahad 1 officers' school in southern Israel, February 19, 2026. (Screenshot/Israel Defense Forces)

Speaking at an IDF cadets graduation ceremony, Defense Minister Israel Katz says Israel will act against “every threat, near and far,” in an apparent reference to Iran amid the ongoing tensions.

“We beheaded the leadership of the Houthi terror organization in Yemen that attacked Israel, and removed the threats of annihilation over the State of Israel in Operation Rising Lion in Iran,” Katz says at the officers’ school in southern Israel, known as Bahad 1.

“We will not allow threats of annihilation against the State of Israel in the future either, and we will act against every threat, near and far,” he says.

“I say from here to all our enemies: Do not test us and do not challenge our determination, because you will find a united people and a strong and victorious army facing you,” Katz adds.

Also speaking at the ceremony, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir says the military’s “eyes are open in every direction, and our finger is more poised on the trigger than ever in the face of any change in the operational reality.”

“Anyone who seeks to test our determination will encounter power that will exact an immediate and heavy price,” he adds.

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