It appears Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will reward the hard work and loyalty of Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz and appoint him acting finance minister until the elections. This increases Katz’s status and puts him in position for a more senior appointment in a future Likud-led coalition. The prime minister however is unlikely to make any such move until after party primary elections.

Katz, who maintains significant influence among Central Committee members and has proven to be a hard worker for the prime minister is essential to Mr. Netanyahu at present. If Gideon Saar announces his comeback the prime minister will face difficult competition in the primaries. MKs Danny Danon and Moshe Feiglin also plan to run, so it is likely there will be a runoff election to determine who will be in the top party slot.

With Mr. Netanyahu nothing is sealed in stone and it is also possible the acting slot will be given to Strategic Affairs Minister Dr. Yuval Steinitz, who is close to the prime minister and has held the finance portfolio in the past.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)