The composition of the next government and allotment of ministerial portfolios continued to slowly take shape on Monday as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held additional meetings with Likud officials in an attempt to finalize the process.
Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan will serve as Israel's ambassador to the United Nations for the next four years, the prime minister announced, and will also be Israel's ambassador in Washington while Netanyahu serves out his term as prime minister within the framework of the rotational government with Blue and White leader Benny Gantz. Erdan could continue serving in both diplomatic roles even after Gantz takes office in two years, depending on what the Blue and White leader decides.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
"I'm proud and excited about the privilege of fighting for our justice in the international arena and defending Israel against the challenges ahead in the coming years," Erdan said after receiving the appointment.
Speaking to Israel Hayom, Erdan added: "In the near future Israel will face significant diplomatic challenges, specifically the application of Israeli sovereignty in the Jordan Valley and settlements in Judea and Samaria, along with the actions against Israel in the International Criminal Court at The Hague, which is a subordinate body to the UN. On these two issues and others, I will enlist all my strength to represent Israel proudly and stand for the righteousness of our path. I know I have hard work ahead of me, but I am up to the task."
Likud ministers Amir Ohana and Miri Regev are the leading candidates for the Public Security Ministry that Erdan is vacating. Netanyahu, it appears, is leaning toward giving the portfolio to Ohana, who has the appropriate background for the position, and will likely give Regev the transportation portfolio despite her stated preference for the Public Security Ministry.
Former Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein could be reappointed to the position, although Blue and White has veto power over such a decision. Tourism Minister Yariv Levin, a Netanyahu ally, could receive the nod instead, and Edelstein could receive the Education portfolio.
Also on Monday, Likud officials finalized the coalition agreements with the ultra-Orthodox parties, United Torah Judaism and Shas. No additional talks were held with the Yamina party, which represents the religious-Zionist camp. Yamina officials said they viewed the cold shoulder as a move to push them into the opposition. In the Likud, meanwhile, officials were waiting to see which portfolios remain available and whether Yamina will accept the existing proposal of one senior portfolio, such as the Education Ministry, another junior portfolio, one deputy ministerial position, and chairmanship of one Knesset committee. The Health Ministry was also still in play for Yamina, after Blue and White conceded the portfolio to the Likud in their coalition agreement.
Defense Minister and Yamina Chairman Naftali Bennett held a press conference on Monday to clarify his party's stance.
"I'm not asking for the Foreign Ministry with cocktails, and we didn't ask for three portfolios. We want to make a difference. I would take the Health Ministry on myself and implement what I said needs to be done so that in 140 days we won't have to destroy the economy and shut the country down again. I formally requested this from the prime minister, and nothing. This isn't what a person who wants Yamina in the government looks like. And that's okay, if Netanyahu doesn't want us in [the coalition], we won't be in," Bennett said.
"We will be a fighting opposition, but will always be an opposition that presents worthy alternatives. If [Netanyahu] applies sovereignty we will back him up, it's not the worst thing to be in the opposition; we'll build an alternative government model," the defense minister added.
