The cabinet on Monday morning 22 Iyar met in special session to approve the coalition deal signed with Avigdor Lieberman and his Yisrael Beitenu party. The cabinet also approved appointing Avigdor Lieberman as Defense Minister and Sofia Landver as Minister of Immigrant Absorption in addition to approving the appointment of MK (Likud) Tzachi Hanegbi as a Minister-without-Portfolio assigned to the Prime Minister’s Office.

Following the cabinet’s approval, the Knesset is expected to give its stamp of approval during the afternoon hours, thereby finalizing the process. This will permit the new ministers to be sworn into office immediately.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)