Gadi Katz

Gadi Katz was born in 1937 in Kfar Yehoshua

Gadi Katz was born in Kfar Yehoshua in 1937. His family moved to Givatayim when he was 6, and he grew up in the Borochov neighborhood. He studied mechanics at Shevach High School in Tel Aviv.

He served in the Paratroopers Brigade, took part in reprisal operations and jumped at the Mitla battle in the Sinai War. He completed officer training and was discharged in 1958 as a deputy company commander.

After his service he worked as a mechanic at the Eilat Ashkelon Pipeline Company. He studied mechanical engineering at the Technion, then moved to Eilat to manage the company's facility there.

He ran for mayor of Eilat for the Alignment in 1973 and lost, but irregularities led to a repeat vote, which he won. He was reelected in 1979 and was investigated for suspected corruption, but the case was closed for lack of evidence. In 1983 he led the independent list Shai, lost the runoff to Rafi Hochman and later managed the Iscar steel plant of the Koor group in Kiryat Gat.

He returned to Eilat in 1988 and recovered from a serious car accident. He ran again in 1989, 1993 and 1998 without returning to the mayoralty. He heads an association for the elderly in Eilat and is active in protecting the Gulf of Eilat beaches.