Katriel Katz Explained

Katriel Katz
Birth Date:1908
Birth Place:Warsaw, Poland[1]
Death Date:1988 (aged 80)
Nationality:Israeli
Occupation:Diplomat

Katriel Katz (October 16, 1908–October 14, 1988) was an Israeli diplomat who served as ambassador to the Soviet Union between 1965 and 1967 and Poland between 1956 and 1958.[2]

Ambassador to the Soviet Union

Katz was the Israeli ambassador to the Soviet Union in the run up to the Six-Day War.[3] He served in that position for 21 months from September 6, 1965, to June 10, 1967. Katz was expelled from the Soviet Union by Andrei Gromyko on the last day of the Six-Day War.[4] Gromyko is said to have told Katz not to let his emotions get the better of him.[5]

Air disaster

In 1968, Katz was involved in an emergency landing and runway fire at London Heathrow Airport.[5] During the evacuation from the aircraft, Katz was the only passenger to escape through the forward port door, despite the efforts of crew to stop him using that door. The two flight crew were almost carried out through the door by Katz, who was a large man. Katz was seriously injured jumping from the doorway.[6]

Death

Katz died in 1988 at the age of 79.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Katriel Katz, New Israeli Consul General in New York, Assumes Post . Jewish Telegraphic Agency . 17 February 2019 . 12 July 1962.
  2. Web site: Cyprus . Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs . 18 May 2020.
  3. Book: Yosef, Govrin. Israeli-Soviet Relations, 1953–1967: From Confrontation to Disruption. Routledge. 978-1135256623. 2013.
  4. News: Fisher. Dan. Israel's Last Moscow Envoy Had a Hint. August 9, 1986. LA Times.
  5. Book: Ottaway, Susan . 2008 . Fire over Heathrow, The Tragedy of Flight 712 . Chapter 3, The Final Briefing . 19–39 . Pen and Sword Books . Barnsley . 978-1-84415-739-6.
  6. Book: Ottaway, Susan . 2008 . Fire over Heathrow, The Tragedy of Flight 712 . Chapter 6, The Evening News . 78–91 . Pen and Sword Books . Barnsley . 978-1-84415-739-6 .