Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Kulanu party leader Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon discussed a number of cabinet rotations during the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday, 25 Tammuz. Rotations approved will go into effect following the Knesset’s summer recess.

The rotation appears to include giving Kahlon and Welfare Minister (Likud) Chaim Katz additional authority, including matters addressing labor and employment, which are currently under the sovereignty of the Economy Ministry. The two ministers have basically absorbed the authorities of the Economy Ministry.

Deputy Minister-without-Portfolio (Likud) Yaron Mazuz will Deputy Environmental Protection Minister.

Kahlon agreed to return control of the Environmental Affairs Ministry to Likud and it will be held by Ze’ev Elkin, joining his other cabinet duties as Minister of Jerusalem Affairs. PM Netanyahu will maintain control over the Foreign Ministry.

Despite reports that Housing Minister (Kulanu) Yoav Galant was defecting to Likud, this is not happening at present and Galant remains in the post which was promised to Kulanu and which he is unwilling to give up.

It appears Galant hoped to move to Likud due to the breaking down of relations with Kahlon. He hoped to take the vacant Defense Ministry slot following Moshe Ya’alon stepping down, being he is a retired major-general, but the Prime Minister has given that senior portfolio to Avigdor Lieberman to bring Yisrael Beitenu into the coalition.

Hence, for the time being, Galant remains in Kulanu in the same post. Officials in Kulanu deny tensions between Galant and party leader Moshe Kahlon, insisting the two maintain a harmonious relationship with one another.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)