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Haim Katz

Shalom Yerushalmi
Op-ed
Shalom Yerushalmi
The nightmare of the 1992 election is coming back to haunt Netanyahu
Gadi Eisenkot speaks during a rally marking 30 years since the assassination of prime minister Yitzhak Rabin, at Tel Aviv's Rabin Square on November 1, 2025. Rabin was assassinated on November 4, 1995 by a Jewish extremist during a pro-peace rally. (Erik Marmor/Flash90)
Allegations of stolen ballots in Likud's primary highlight internal rot that, combined with the PM's fear of right-wing splinter factions, mirrors the collapse of the party in 1992
Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Gila Gamliel attends a Science and Technology Committee meeting at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, February 17, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
August 26, 2026, 6:40 pm
Likud recount could push veteran minister out of Knesset as fraud claims roil party
Etty Atia, backbencher and ally of Likud bigwig Haim Katz, overtakes Gila Gamliel in fresh tally of primary vote; Gamliel says Katz trying to ‘steal’ vote, files police complaint
By ToI Staff
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu casts his vote at a polling station in Jerusalem on August 17, 2026, as Likud members vote in primary elections to help determine the party’s Knesset slate. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
August 19, 2026, 4:16 pm
Netanyahu boasts of Likud renewal, but his new slate is a faded copy of the old
With voter turnout at a low 53%, the prime minister’s rigged primary sidelined independent voices in favor of loyalists and handpicked political functionaries
By Shalom Yerushalmi
A polling station for the Likud primary in Jerusalem on December 10, 2014. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
August 16, 2026, 5:18 pm
Likud politicians ready to battle for shrinking number of spots in Monday primary
Party polling at 22-24 seats in October election, with Netanyahu controlling a third of the top 30 slots, making the hastily convened vote a tighter race than normal
By Sam Sokol
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, right, and Defense Minister Israel Katz, at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem on November 10, 2024. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
August 11, 2026, 6:51 pm
Likud approves reserved spots for Israel Katz and Sa’ar, freezes vote on Haim Katz
Likud MK Tally Gotliv slams ‘disgraceful move that mocks Likud voters,’ says defense minister is ‘deeply afraid of the primary results and rightly so’
By Sam Sokol
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, right, and Defense Minister Israel Katz, at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem on November 10, 2024. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
August 11, 2026, 5:32 am
Sa’ar, Katz to get newly added reserved slots on Likud list, expanding PM’s control
Central Committee chair Haim Katz will also receive guaranteed spot, party says in late-night announcement; Netanyahu already controls 8 slots on Likud slate, meaning he chooses 11 of top 29
By Shira Silkoff
Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu casts his vote in the party primaries at a polling station in Tel Aviv, on August 10, 2022. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90/File)
July 19, 2026, 9:03 pm
Likud grants Netanyahu 8 slots on Knesset list, option to nix primary in wartime
Key panel authorizes PM to convene committee of Likud mayors to choose list if security conditions prevent primary vote; MK Bitan accuses panel chair of harming party’s democracy
By Ariela Karmel and Stav Levaton
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the Entebbe hostage rescue, at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, July 12, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/ Flash90)
July 13, 2026, 9:56 pm
Six of top 20: Likud okays plan to give Netanyahu more power over party’s electoral slate
In compromise with Likud Constitution Committee, PM to handpick candidates for slots 3, 5, 9, 11, 15, 18, 26, and 31; party expected to win some 20-25 seats in October elections
By Charlie Summers
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a memorial ceremony for Zionist leader Theodor Herzl at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem on July 5, 2026. (Alex Kolomoisky/POOL)
July 9, 2026, 3:32 pm
Likud lawmakers said increasingly worried Netanyahu will skip holding primaries
MK warns that if the prime minister moves to form a selection committee to choose the party’s ticket, there will be ‘immediate political consequences’
By ToI Staff
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich at an event in Sa-Nur in the West Bank on April 19, 2026. (Courtesy Bezalel Smotrich)
April 19, 2026, 6:35 pm
Smotrich urges PM to order the IDF to ‘prepare for the full occupation’ of Gaza
Far-right minister repeats call for rebuilding settlements in Strip; Likud minister calls reestablishment of West Bank settlement evacuated in 2005 ‘a moment of historical justice’
By Sam Sokol
People close up a shop after missiles were launched at Israel from Iran, in the northern city of Haifa, on February 28, 2026. (Jalaa Marey/AFP)
February 28, 2026, 10:25 pm
Schools, most businesses stay shuttered amid Israel-US assault on Iran, regime’s missile fire
Health system suspends all non-essential services, while courts cancel all but urgent proceedings; banks, supermarkets remain open as economy minister urges public to avoid panic buying
By ToI Staff, Sam Sokol and Sharon Wrobel
Tourism Minister Haim Katz (middle) and US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee (first on the right) at the opening ceremony of the International Mediterranean Tourism Market (IMTM) fair in Tel Aviv, Feb. 3, 2026. (Courtesy of Ronen Horesh)
February 4, 2026, 11:35 am
Israel banks on Christian pilgrims and faith-based travel to drive tourism recovery
Tourism Ministry plans a digital campaign geared to Evangelicals and pro-Israel communities; AI app for Holy Land trips launches with support of US Ambassador Mike Huckabee
By Sharon Wrobel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leads a special cabinet meeting in the City of David, outside Jerusalem's Old City, May 26, 2025. (Flash90)
November 25, 2025, 2:25 pm
Lack of full-time leaders hobbling ministries ditched by Haredi parties, critics say
After weeks without any minister at all, five portfolios come under management of lawmakers busy with other tasks, sparking accusations that PM is putting politics above governance
By Sam Sokol
L-R: Justice Minister Yariv Levin attends a plenum session at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, November 19, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90); Haim Katz, then serving as national security minister, visits the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City, during the first Friday prayers of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on March 7, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/ Flash90)
November 24, 2025, 11:21 pm
Knesset okays Katz and Levin appointments to head five ministries vacated by Haredim
Likud ministers handed posts held by Haredi parties before they bolted government months ago; Netanyahu hoping advancement of conscription bill could bring Shas back into fold
By Sam Sokol
Construction in the central town of Gedera, February 24, 2025. (Yossi Aloni/ Flash90)
October 26, 2025, 5:48 pm
NIS 1.4 billion housing plan passed to boost construction, increase foreign workers
Government approves program that looks to accelerate building, strengthen local authorities, and expand the supply of affordable homes across the country
By Zev Stub
Then-Herzliya city council candidate Rafi Chaim-Kedoshim speaks at a September 2023 campaign event in the city as ministers, including Galit Distel Atbaryan (left) look on. (Screenshot used in accordance with clause 27a of the copyright law)
October 8, 2025, 5:50 pm
Cabinet ministers to celebrate Sukkot with convicted criminal turned party activist
Senior Likud members set to attend festive event sponsored by party activist Rafi Chaim-Kedoshim, who has been convicted for acts of violence, kidnapping and extortion
By Sam Sokol
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