Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu convened the first meeting of his newly-formed coalition government , as he warned incoming ministers they take charge during Israel’s most “challenging period vis-a-vis the accumulated risks on one hand and the opportunities in the others, and of course, the expectations of Israel’s citizens”.
Addressing his new cross-party cabinet, which was presented to President Shimon Peres Saturday following six weeks of intense political negotiations in the wake of January’s election results, he called for the disparate representatives to cooperate for a higher purpose, “to meet all of these challenges, without exception”.
Presenting his vision for a more egalitarian form of government, despite myriad criticisms of his previous leadership style being too autocratic, he concluded that “by hearing all sides we will, in the end, make correct and balanced decisions”, as he wished Israel’s Jewish and Christian citizens a Happy Passover and a Happy Easter in advance in this month’s religious festivities, in an apparent effort to reach out to the religious minorities as the Jewish State prepares to welcome US President Barack Obama Wednesday for a state visit.
Delivering a clear message of regeneration, amid widespread international calls for Israel and the Palestinian Authority to renew peace talks, Netanyahu said the first meeting of the cabinet signified a “cleaning” of the government table - invoking preparations for the Jewish festival of Passover – as he told his government colleagues “we all bear the great responsibility the responsibility and the privilege” to deliver a collective political mandate.
In his address to the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, prior to the swearing in of the country’s 33d thirty third government, Netanyahu emphasised his desire to return to substantive peace talks with the Palestinians, although the new coalition appears to be focused primarily on tackling internal social and economic issues.
He said, “We stretch out our hand in peace to the Palestinians,” adding that “Israel has proven time and again it is ready for concessions in exchange for real peace, and the situation today is no different.” Netanyahu added, “With a Palestinian partner that is willing to hold negotiations in good will, Israel will be ready for a historic compromise that will end the conflict with the Palestinians once and for all.”
However, he also warned that Israel faces challenges which “are greater than they have been since the establishment of the state… Iran has yet to cross the red line but is getting closer to it. Syria is splitting into pieces, and weapons are leaking out.”
Responding to Netanyahu’s speech, the leader of the opposition, Labour Party head Shelly Yachimovich pledged to the Prime Minister “If you get even to an interim agreement, I promise you… we will join your government in order to see through such a move.”
However, on internal affairs Yachimovich said that the coalition represents “a detachment from what is happening in Israeli society. It’s not just money but values and the right to education and a roof over our heads.”
Seven members of the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party, also members of the opposition, briefly walked out of the plenum in protest at their exclusion from government.
The final cabinet makeup was confirmed Monday, with the notable exception of the coveted Foreign Ministry post, which Netanyahu is reportedly holding in reserve for its previous incumbent Avigdor Lieberman, who is currently preparing to face corruption charges. The US delegation, which includes the newly-confirmed Secretary of State John Kerry, will therefore not be met by the new Foreign Minister, with Netanyahu assuming interim responsibility for international relations.
Key appointments to the new government include Habayit Hayehudi head Naftali Bennet, seen as a likely successor to Netanyahu, who will occupy the Trade, Industry and Labour Ministry, as well as serving as Minister of Religious Services and Minister for Jerusalem and Diaspora Affairs. Surprise victor of January’s election, close Bennett ally Yair Lapid of the centrist Yesh Atid party will take charge of the Finance Ministry, with Tzipi Livni retaining the Justice Ministry, despite reports last week suggest her agreement with Netanyahu, which made her the first to join his cabinet, might be revoked in preference to an alignment with the Bennett-Lapid coalition. Despite the official cabinet announcement making no reference to her previously touted role in leading Israel-Palestinian peace negotiations, her colleague Amir Peretz was granted the Environmental Protection post, with Moshe Ya’alon succeeding outgoing Defence Minister Ehud Barak. Yuli Edelstein will replace former Knesset speaker Reuven Rivlin.
Following the announcement of the new cabinet, Obama issued a state congratulating “the Israeli people, Prime Minister Netanyahu, and the new members of the Prime Minister’s governing coalition on the successful formation of Israel’s new government”, as he looked to “working closely with the Prime Minister and the new government to address the many challenges we face and advance our shared interest in peace and security” on his arrival in Jerusalem Wednesday.
Europe by contrast remained noticeably silent in response to the coalition announcement, with British Foreign Secretary William Hague voicing the sole congratulatory wishes from the EU, as he warned that “there is no more urgent foreign policy priority in 2013 than making progress towards achieving the two-state solution”.
“I have urged the United States to lead international efforts to revive the peace process and pledged that the UK will spare no effort in mobilising European Union and Arab states behind decisive moves for peace. I welcome President Obama’s visit to the region next week. I call on Prime Minister Netanyahu, and President Abbas, to demonstrate leadership and courage in working with the international community to secure the peace which is so strongly in the interests of both Israelis and Palestinians,” concluded his official comment.
Following is the list of the 21 ministers who will serve under Netanyahu in the new government:
Benjamin Netanyahu - Prime Minister
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Public Affairs and the Diaspora
Yitzhak Aharonovitch - Minister of Public Security
Uri Ariel - Minister of Housing and Construction
Naftali Bennett - Minister of Trade, Industry and Labor, Minister of Religious Services, Minister for Jerusalem and Diaspora Affairs
Meir Cohen - Minister of Welfare and Social Affairs
Gilad Erdan - Minister of Communications and Home Front Protection
Yael German - Minister of Health
Yisrael Katz - Minister of of Transportation, National Infrastructures and Road Safety
Uzi Landau - Minister of Tourism
Sofa Landver - Minister of Immigration Absorption
Yair Lapid - Minister of Finance
Limor Livnat - Minister of Culture and Sport
Tzipi Livni - Minister of Justice
Uri Orbach - Minister for Senior Citizens
Amir Peretz - Minister of Environmental Protection
Yaakov Perry - Minister of Science and Technology
Shai Piron - Minister of Education
Gideon Sa'ar - Minister of the Interior
Silvan Shalom - Minister of Water and Energy, Minister for Regional Development and the Development of the Negev and the Galilee
Yair Shamir - Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development
Yuval Steinitz - Minister of Strategic and Intelligence Affairs responsible for International Relations
Moshe Ya'alon - Minister of Defense