Katriel Katz
Photograph of Katriel Katz
Katz in 1967
Born1908
Warsaw, Poland[1]
Died1988 (aged 80)
NationalityIsraeli
OccupationDiplomat

Katriel Katz (1908–1988) 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 80.[6]

References

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