Thirty-second government of Israel

The Thirty-second government of Israel, also known as the Second Netanyahu Government,[1] was the largest cabinet in the country's history, in terms of the number of ministers: initially containing 30 ministers and nine deputy ministers, it later added another deputy prime minister as of May 2012 until he resigned in July 2012.[2]

Netanyahu II cabinet

32nd Cabinet of Israel
Date formed31 March 2009
Date dissolved18 March 2013
People and organisations
Head of stateShimon Peres
Head of governmentBenjamin Netanyahu
Deputy head of governmentSilvan Shalom
Moshe Ya'alon
Ehud Barak
Avigdor Lieberman
Dan Meridor
Eli Yishai
Shaul Mofaz (from 8 May 2012 to 17 July 2012)
Member partyLikud
Yisrael Beiteinu
Shas
Labor (until 17 January 2011)
The Jewish Home
Independence (from 17 January 2011)
United Torah Judaism (from 1 April 2009)
Kadima (from 8 May 2012 to 17 July 2012)
Status in legislatureGrand Coalition (2009–2011)
Centre-right (2011–2013)
Opposition partyKadima
Opposition leaderShaul Mofaz
History
Election(s)Knesset elections, 2009
Legislature term(s)18th Knesset
Predecessor31st
Successor33rd

Formation

Following the 2009 Knesset elections, the new government was formed on 31 March 2009. It consisted of a coalition of Likud, Yisrael Beiteinu, Shas, the Labor and the Jewish Home. The parties formed a center-right coalition government.[3]

Israeli government formation, February–March 2009

20 February–31 March 2009
 
Nominee Benjamin Netanyahu Tzipi Livni
Party Likud Kadima
Electoral vote 65 28
Percentage 54.2% 23.3%
Investiture vote - In favor 69
Investiture vote - Against 45

Prime Minister before election

Ehud Olmert
Kadima

Elected Prime Minister

Benjamin Netanyahu
Likud

Changes since formation

On 1 April 2009, United Torah Judaism joined as well.

In January 2011, Labor Party leader Ehud Barak formed a breakaway party, Independence, which enabled him to maintain his loyal Labor's MK faction within Netanyahu's government, and prevented the departure of Labor party as a whole from Netanyahu's coalition-government. Labor previously threatened to force Barak to do so. After Barak's move, Netanyahu was able to maintain a majority of 66 MK (out 120 in the Knesset), previously having 74 MKs within his majority coalition.

On 8 May 2012, following weeks of speculation that early elections would be called, Netanyahu announced a new National Unity Coalition after striking a deal with Kadima head Shaul Mofaz bringing the coalition majority to 94 MKs.[4]

Kadima subsequently left the ruling coalition on 17 July due to a dispute over the Tal Law.[5]

Basic policy guidelines

A paper presented to the Knesset's approval alongside the Government said that the Government would:[6]

  • actively seek to fortify the national security and bestow personal security on its citizens while vigorously and determinedly fighting against violence and terror.
  • advance the political process and act to promote peace with all our neighbors, while preserving the security, historic and national interests of Israel.
  • advance a program to deal with the economic crisis and act to create economic conditions that will allow for sustainable growth, as well as create and maintain jobs in the economy.
  • strive for social justice by reducing social gaps and uncompromisingly fight against poverty through education, employment and an increase in assistance to the weaker segments of the population.
  • place the issue of immigration and immigrant absorption at the top of its list of priorities and will work vigorously to increase immigration from all countries of the world.
  • place education at the center of its list of national priorities and will act to advance reforms in the education system.
  • preserve the Jewish character of the State and the legacy of Israel, as well as honor the religions and traditions of members of other religions in the country in accordance with the values of the Declaration of Independence.
  • act to advance governmental reforms to improve stability and governability.
  • act to fortify the rule of law in Israel.
  • act to protect the environment in Israel, improve the quality of life for the residents of the country and increase Israel's participation in contributing to the global effort with regard to the climate and the environment.

Cabinet members

The cabinet had 30 members.

Portfolio Minister Party
Prime Minister
Minister of Economic Strategy
Minister of Health
Minister of Pensioner Affairs
Benjamin Netanyahu Likud

Vice Prime Minister
Minister of Development of the Negev and Galilee
Minister of Regional Development

Silvan Shalom Likud
Vice Prime Minister
Minister of Strategic Affairs
Moshe Ya'alon Likud
Vice Prime Minister
Minister without Portfolio
Shaul Mofaz (09/05/2012 - 19/07/2012) Kadima
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister of Defense
Ehud Barak Israeli Labor Party, from 17/01/2011: Independence
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Avigdor Lieberman till 18/12/2012 Yisrael Beitenu
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister of Intelligence and Atomic Energy
Dan Meridor Likud
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister of Internal Affairs
Eli Yishai Shas
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Shalom Simhon till 19/01/2011
Orit Noked from 19/01/2011
Israeli Labor Party
Independence
Minister of Communications Moshe Kahlon Likud
Minister of Culture and Sport Limor Livnat Likud
Minister of Education Gideon Sa'ar Likud
Minister of Energy and Water Uzi Landau Yisrael Beitenu
Minister of Environmental Protection Gilad Erdan Likud
Minister of Finance Yuval Steinitz Likud
Minister for Home Front Defense Matan Vilnai till 15/08/2012
Avi Dichter from 16/0/2012
Israeli Labor Party, from 17/01/2011: Independence
Independent (ex-Kadima)
Minister of Housing and Construction Ariel Atias Shas
Minister of Immigrant Absorption Sofa Landver Yisrael Beitenu
Minister of Improvement of Government Services Michael Eitan Likud
Minister of Industry, Trade, and Labour
Minister of Minorities
Binyamin Ben-Eliezer till 19/01/2011
Shalom Simhon from 19/01/2011
Israeli Labor Party
Independence
Minister of Information and Diaspora Yuli-Yoel Edelstein Likud
Minister of Internal Security Yitzhak Aharonovich Yisrael Beitenu
Minister of Justice Ya'akov Ne'eman Appointed[7]
Minister of Religious Services Ya'akov Margi Shas
Minister of Science and Technology Daniel Hershkowitz The Jewish Home
Minister of Tourism Stas Misezhnikov Yisrael Beitenu
Minister of Transportation, National Infrastructure and Road Safety Yisrael Katz Likud
Minister of Welfare and Social Services Isaac Herzog till 19/01/2011
Moshe Kahlon from 19/01/2011
Israeli Labor Party
Likud
Minister without Portfolio Benny Begin Likud
Meshulam Nahari Shas
Yossi Peled till 29/09/2012 Likud

Deputy Ministers

Portfolio Minister Party
Deputy Minister of the Development of the Negev and Galilee Ayoob Kara Likud
Deputy Minister of Education Meir Porush United Torah Judaism
Deputy Minister of Finance Yitzhak Cohen Shas
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Daniel Ayalon Yisrael Beitenu
Deputy Minister of Health Yaakov Litzman[8] United Torah Judaism
Deputy Minister of Pensioner Affairs Lea Nass Likud
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Gila Gamliel Likud
Deputy Minister of Education Meir Porush till 06/02/2011
Menachem Eliezer Moses from 09/02/2011
United Torah Judaism
Deputy Minister of Industry, Trade, and Labor Orit Noked till 19/01/2011 Israeli Labor Party

References

  1. מרנדה, אמנון (31 March 2009). "ynet הכנסת אישרה: ממשלת נתניהו יצאה לדרך - חדשות". Ynet. Ynet.co.il. Retrieved 2015-03-16.
  2. "Cabinet Missing Health Minister - Politics & Gov't - News - Arutz Sheva". Israelnationalnews.com. 2009-01-04. Retrieved 2015-03-16.
  3. Christa Case Bryant (January 23, 2013). "Centrists make strong show in Israel, tempering Netanyahu". Christian Science Monitor.
  4. "Mofar Won't Stay Alone. Soon: More Ministers from Kadima". Ynet.co.il. Retrieved 2015-03-16.
  5. "Kadima quits Israel government over conscription law". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-03-16.
  6. "Government Policy". Archived from the original on November 5, 2011. Retrieved December 9, 2011.
  7. "He has failed the make-up test, too". Haaretz. Haaretz.com. 2009-03-13. Retrieved 2015-03-16.
  8. ויסמן, לילך (2009-04-05). "מונה שר בריאות בממשלת נתניהו: יו"ר סיעת יהדות התורה, ח"כ יעקב ליצמן - גלובס". Globes. Globes.co.il. Retrieved 2015-03-16.
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