Former Finance Minister Yaakov Ne’eman, a prominent Israeli attorney and a shomer Shabbos yid, is the leading candidate for the justice ministry slot.

After Yisrael Beitenu understood it was permitted to select the justice minister as part of its coalition agreement, party leader Avigdor Lieberman set his sights on the incumbent, Daniel Friedman. The decision elicited widespread opposition from many, including senior Likud officials, compelling Binyamin Netanyahu to call on Lieberman to select a candidate deemed acceptable to all. As such, following a Wednesday meeting, it appears the next minister will be Yaakov Ne’eman, who will for a second time serve as an outside “professional minister,” one who is not a member of any of the parties included in the coalition government, in line with the American system of appointing outside professionals to fill cabinet posts.

Ne’eman, who is a member of Likud’s coalition negotiating team, working to represent the incoming government’s interests, responded to the report by explaining he is unaware of such a possibility. Likud leader Netanyahu has indicated the appointment is one of the possibilities on the table, adding the decision rests with Yisrael Beitenu.

At present, it appears Yisrael Beitenu will take control of five cabinet posts. The foreign ministry will go to Lieberman himself, justice minister to be selected by the party, as well as tourism, public security and trade & industry.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)