Haim Katz (Hebrew: חיים קץ; born 8 April 1945) is an Israeli businessman and former politician. He served as a member of the Knesset for the Likud party from 2009 to 2021 and held the cabinet position of Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development from May 2020 to June 2021 in the fourth Netanyahu government.
Early life and education
Katz was born in Haifa, Mandatory Palestine (now Israel). He completed his secondary education in Israel and subsequently pursued studies in business administration; details of his tertiary education have not been widely documented in publicly available encyclopedic sources.
Business career
Before entering politics, Katz held senior roles in Israel’s financial and real‑estate sectors. He served as chairman of the Israel Discount Bank and later as chairman of the Israel Land Development Company (ILDC), a major public‑listed real‑estate firm. His tenure in these positions involved overseeing corporate strategy, financial operations, and development projects, contributing to his reputation as a prominent figure in Israeli business circles.
Political career
Katz was elected to the 18th Knesset in the 2009 Israeli legislative election as a member of Likud. He was re‑elected in the 2013, 2015, and 2020 elections, serving continuously until the 2021 election cycle. During his parliamentary service, he sat on several committees, including the Finance Committee and the Economic Affairs Committee, and was an outspoken advocate for business‑friendly economic policies.
In May 2020, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed Katz as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. In this role, he oversaw agricultural policy, rural infrastructure, and related regulatory matters until the end of the governing term in June 2021.
Personal life
Katz is married and has children. He is known to be involved in various philanthropic activities, particularly those supporting education and community development, though specific charitable affiliations are not extensively detailed in public records.
References
- Official Knesset biography of Haim Katz.
- Israel Discount Bank annual reports (archival).
- Israel Land Development Company press releases.
Note: The information presented reflects data available from established public and governmental sources up to the knowledge cutoff date.