Former Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz assumed his new role as Israel's defense minister today, replacing Yoav Gallant after his dismissal by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The newly installed minister of defense held meetings with the military's Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and other army officials.

The Knesset on Thursday night approved the appointment of Likud’s Israel Katz as defense minister, voting 58-0 in favor, with opposition members boycotting the vote in protest.

Replacing Katz as foreign minister is New Hope’s Gideon Sa’ar, whose appointment was also approved by parliament.