Zalman Yitzchak Katz
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The Honorable Zalman Yitzchak Katz | |
|---|---|
| File:New War Ministry head.jpg Minister Katz speaking at a press conference in Provisa in early 2015. | |
| Imperial War Minister of Belhavia | |
| Assumed office January 24th, 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Evan Fox |
| General, General Staff, Imperial Armed Forces of Belhavia | |
| In office June 9th, 2005 – January 23rd, 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Schlomo Weissman |
| Succeeded by | Frank Gold |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 7th, 1946 Freeport City, Freeport |
| Nationality | Belhavian |
| Political party | National Patriotic Union (1964 - 1969) Conservative Party (1969 - Present) |
| Spouse | Chana I. Katz |
| Residence | Provisa |
| Alma mater | B.S., Military Science, Freeport Military Academy |
| Profession | Military officer, Functionary |
Zalman Yitzchak Katz (born May 7th, 1946) is the current Imperial War Minister of Belhavia and formerly a four-star general in the Imperial military's General Staff. He is a member of the Conservative Party. He is a recipient of the Imperial Blue Star for valor on the battlefield for his actions in the Nazali War in 1970.
Before his promotion to War Minister, Katz was an Imperial Army general in the military General Staff. He is known as a fierce war hawk and ultra-nationalist. He is an advocate in the military School of Unilateral Action and promotes frequent Belhavian military intervention abroad, though he often acknowledges the role of having multinational military allies assist Belhavia when the Imperial government deploys forces overseas.
Early Life and Education
Katz was born in May 1946, in Misgram-av, West Dakos, to a lower-middle-income family that observed a traditionalist Conservative/Conservadox Jewish lifestyle. His father, Akiva Katz, had served in the Imperial Navy in the Galarian years, while his mother, Miriam, was a housewife.
His neighborhood was religious but had a modern bent to it. He attended Misgram-av Yeshiva for his primary and secondary education. In the mid-1960s, when he was old enough to vote and started to pay attention to politics and broader social debates, he was attracted to the far right, ultra-nationalist, religiously Haredi National Patriotic Union political party. His foray with local NPU activism developed a fervent patriotic streak in him, as well as prompting him to consider a spiritual re-evaluation of his life.
To his parent's surprise, he decided to undergo the process of baal teshuva and attended the famed Ohr Torah Yeshiva of Provisa for his post-secondary education. After two years in the yeshiva, he considered himself an Orthodox Jew.
Military Career
After two years in the famous Provisa yeshiva, Katz decided he wanted to serve in the military, inspired by his father as well as the NPU's rhetoric. He applied for the prestigious and storied officer's school, the Freeport Military Academy, and was accepted.
In his third year as a cadet, the Ben-David Incident occurred - the attempted coup d'état by National Patriotic Union elements to overthrow the visibly left-wing administration of President Vern Callan. Katz was detained by academy officials in the aftermath due to his well-known activism on behalf of the NPU, but an investigation by the military school concluded he had shared no part in the failed coup. He was released and allowed to continue his cadet studies. He subsequently became a Tory, finding a comfortable niche on its right-wing faction.
After this, he became a social outcast for his former party's actions - actions that inspired a deep guilt and were considered taboo from the Galarian era. Nevertheless, he graduated in spring 1970 as a newly commissioned second lieutenant.
He was assigned to an infantry unit, and saw action in the Nazali conflict in Ashizwe several months later. Six months into his active service, he earned the Imperial Blue Star for valor and courage under fire. He earned brevet first lieutenant in 1971 after the death of his superior officer. In 1973, he served his last tour in that war, and was promoted to captain. In 1976, he attracted the attention of Colonel Yisroel Levy, who liked the junior officer's hawkish views and valorous record, and saw to it that Katz was transferred from a line to a staff posting and was promoted to Major.
In 1978, it was alleged he was dispatched to covertly fight the beginnings of the Communist incursion into South Ashizwe. By the early 1980s, he was publicly noted as being stationed in Westonaria and had several strong working and personal relationships with members of the Westonarian Defense Force. Since taking more senior and public roles, Katz has been an outspoken supporter of Westonaria and Belhavia's close relationship with it, despite some differences over domestic policies.
In the 1980s, his stock rose as Levy - his patron who now had ascended to Major General - was made a confidant to President Julian Settas, who wanted a more hawkish military policy. This shift in policy from the Callan years rewarded officers like Katz.
In 1986, he was made lieutenant colonel. Just as soon, he took part in the South Ashizwe Border War, and by 1991 was promoted to colonel. He was known as an effective tactical strategist, though some critics within the ranks complained he was too willing to see higher casualties to ensure the mission was successful. By this time, he had a family of 9 children, stretching from their thirties to their young preteens. Two of his sons, Eli and Benjamin, had joined the Army. He started to think of retiring, but decided against it.
He made brigadier general in 1997, and major general in 2002. By now, his overly hawkish and aggressive tactics well-known (and somewhat disliked) among his colleagues, and a gut of older officers who were staying in the senior hierarchy, it looked as if Katz had climbed the ladder as far as he could. However, in the infamous 2004 Sackings, a litany of older senior officers were made to retire to make way for younger officers, including Katz's friend and mentor, Yisroel Levy.
Katz lobbied hard, and was made brevet lieutenant general in the Sacking's aftermath. In 2005, with help from Levy and other friends and allies, Katz was appointed to the General Staff and elevated to the rank of General.
Generalship
Once on the General Staff, Katz was one of the first to note the rising threat of the then-proto-RCO.
He urged a strategic pivot of military resources to Tobia and South West Ashizwe, and a strengthening of ties with nations such as Anikatia, Westonaria, Dacia, Cata Larga, and Prestonia.
Candidate for War Minister (2011)
War Minister (2012 - Present)
Military Modernization Project
Political Views
Minister Katz is a well-known war hawk and nationalist, and self-identifies as part of the Tory right. He is critical of the rise of neoisolationist Libertarians and socially liberal far left-wing of the Liberal Democrats.
Critics have charged his seeming callous disregard for his men's lives in pursuit of accomplishing the mission borders on egotistical, a charge Katz strongly denies.
Personal Life and Family
He is married to Chana Katz (neé Friedman) since 1966. Together, they have a family of 9 children, 12 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.
Two of his sons are officers in the Imperial Army, one serves as a aircraft engineer in the Imperial Air Force, one is a talmidim, three daughters are housewives with their own families, and one daughter is a professor of Judaic studies in Provisa.