Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud has reached a coalition agreement with the Sephardi ultra-Orthodox Shas party, according to an early Thursday morning announcement.
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According to the deal, Shas leader Aryeh Deri will serve as interior minister for two years, after which he will take over with Finance Ministry in rotation with Religious Zionist Party leader Bezalel Smotrich.
Shas will also control the Religious Affairs and the Welfare and Social Affairs ministries and will also have two faction members in the Education and Interior ministries.
Deri will also serve as deputy prime minister throughout the government's term in office. Shas may receive additional appointments until the full coalition deal is signed among all bloc parties.
Netanyahu thanked Deri after the announcement, saying, "Tonight we completed another step on the way to establishing a right-wing government that will act for the benefit and well-being of all the citizens of the State of Israel."
Nevertheless, Deri might be prevented from serving as minister due to tax offenses. As such, the incoming government is seeking to pass legislation that would allow convicted lawmakers to assume ministerial roles.
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