The chareidi parties in Knesset feel that in the coming days, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will distribute the cabinet posts he holds in addition to serving as prime minister. This is due to a petition that is going to be filed by the Movement for Quality Government against Mr. Netanyahu, claiming he should not be holding on to several cabinet posts, which demand fulltime ministers.

This being the case, PM Netanyahu is expected to appoint new ministers to the Health, Social Welfare, Diaspora Affairs and Agriculture ministries, portfolios he currently holds in addition to serving as prime minister. The chareidim and Transportation Minister Betzalel Smotrich have their eyes on the new appointments.

Deputy Health Minister Yaakov Litzman has already received approval from the Moetzas Gedolei Torah of Agudas Yisrael to accept the ministerial appointment, which he expects to receive.

In addition, Deri is seeking additional cabinet posts for his party, Shas, specifically the Agriculture and Social Welfare portfolios. Deri is not expected to appoint new ministers but will likely give the Social Welfare portfolio to Minister Vaknin and he will hold on to the Agriculture portfolio.

Smotrich is also expecting the Diaspora Affairs portfolio, which he claims was promised to him but has yet to be actualized. It remains to be seen if either Deri’s or Smotrich’s wish list will be met.

In addition, Degel Hatorah MK Uri Maklev feels he should be appointed as a deputy minister with ministerial authority or appointed as a minister as Yemina with seven seats has three large portfolios: Defense Minister Naftali Bennet, Education Minister Rafi Peretz and Transportation Minister Smotrich while Yahadut Hatorah has the same number of seats but less ministerial appointments.

During a discussion pertaining to the appointments, Litzman agreed that Maklev should receive an appointment.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)