Katz Warns of Renewed Iranian Nuclear Efforts and Calls for National Unity

Defense Minister Israel Katz warned on Sunday morning, November 8, that Iran was trying to renew its efforts to acquire nuclear weapons. Speaking at the state memorial ceremony for soldiers who fell in Operation Kadesh, he said Iran was also pursuing other actions that, in his assessment, posed serious dangers to Israel. He said Israel could not accept those threats. Katz said, “The mission is not yet complete.” He called for national unity ahead of the security tasks facing the country, saying legitimate disagreements should give way to shared responsibility when national security was at stake. He emphasized responsibility for Israel and the IDF, and said commanders and soldiers needed to know that the public stood behind them. The defense minister said Israel must prepare for every scenario and act as necessary to protect its citizens. He reiterated that Israel would not withdraw from its security zones in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria. Katz also warned that Hezbollah would face severe blows if it joined an Iranian attack on Israel, and described meetings with regular and reserve soldiers serving in the security zones. The ceremony marked 70 years since Operation Kadesh and was attended by President Isaac Herzog and bereaved families. Katz commemorated the campaign’s 180 fallen soldiers and recalled his own service as a paratrooper and commander in Battalion 890. He also reaffirmed the Defense Ministry’s commitment to locating the burial places of three soldiers from the campaign whose resting places remain unknown.