Defense Minister Israel Katz left Thursday's Diplomatic-Security Cabinet meeting before it concluded to attend the wedding of the son of Kiryat Ata Mayor Yaakov Peretz, held in Rishon Lezion..
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was reportedly unaware that Katz had left the meeting and at one point asked those present, "Where is the Defense Minister?"
Peretz, a longtime Likud member who has served as mayor of Kiryat Ata for nearly three decades, heads a city with one of the party's larger local branches, numbering about 1,500 registered members. The wedding took place as Likud prepares for its upcoming primaries.
Katz was not the only senior Likud official in attendance: Welfare Minister Haim Katz, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also attended the event.
Katz's departure came during a Security Cabinet meeting held at the end of a week marked by significant developments on several fronts involving the IDF.
Responding to the report, Katz's office said: "Defense Minister Israel Katz held a series of security discussions for nearly 10 hours yesterday at the Defense Ministry and the Prime Minister's Office, and does not intend to comment on the security forums in which he participates."