Prime Minister's Office.txt About Briefing Room Government Secretariat Divisions and Units The Government 34th Government of the State of Israel Headed by Benjamin Netanyahu (May 14, 2015)Presented to the Knesset on May 14, 2015, and approved that same day at 23:56 with 61 votes in favor and 59 against. When formed, the Government comprised a coalition of 61 members of Knesset in the following composition:Likud (30 seats)Kulanu (10 seats)HaBayit HaYehudi (8 seats)Shas (7 seats)Agudat Israel (6 seats) Type: Information Publish Date: 23.04.2019 Updated date: 01.01.2023 Israeli government 34 34th Government of the State of Israel Headed by Benjamin Netanyahu (May 14, 2015)© Photo by GPO Following is the Government composition on the day of its swearing-in: # Tribe Code, Name, (See: "Avraham-had-many-sons.pdf"). # 0=goyim; # 10C=Yishma'el's youngest son Kedmah; and # 30D=Israel's youngest son Benjamin. K`turah's sons start with "4" then "0-5", followed with grand-sons "6-7 or B-F" with great-grand-sons ending with "8-A". # 10C, Benjamin Netanyahu - Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Health, Minister of Communications, Minister for Regional Cooperation # 10C, David Azoulay - Minister of Religious Services # 10C, Ze'ev Elkin - Minister of Immigration and Absorption, Intended Minister of Strategic Affairs # 10C, Ophir Akunis - Minister without Portfolio # 10C, Uri Ariel- Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development # 10C, Binyamin Begin - Minister without Portfolio # 10C, Naftali Bennrtt - Minister of Education, Minister of Jerusalem and Diaspora Affairs # 10C, Avi Gabai - Minister of Environmental Protection # 10C, Yoav Galant - Minister of Construction # 10C, Gila Gamliet - Minister for Senior Citizens # 10C, Danni Danon - Minister of Science, Technology and Space # 10C, Arye Deri - Minister of the Economy, Minister of Development of the Negev and Galilee # 10C, Moshe Ya'alon - Minister of Defense # 30D, Yisrael Katz - Minister of Transportation and Road Safety, Minister of Intelligence # 10C, Moshe Kahlon - Minister of Finance # 30D, Haim Katz - Minister of Welfare and Social Services # 10C, Yariv Levin - Minister of Tourism, Minister of Internal Security, Liaison between the Government and the Knesset # 10C, Miri Regev - Minister of Culture and Sport # 10C, Yuval Steintz - Minister of National Infrastructure, Energy and Water # 10C, Ayelet Shaked - Minister of Justice – On May 19, 2015, the Government resolved in Government Resolution No. 6 to change the name of the Ministry of Jerusalem and Diaspora Affairs to the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs. Additionally, the Government resolved in that resolution to transfer the areas of activity pertaining to Jerusalem affairs from the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs to the Prime Minister's Office. – On May 19, 2015, the Government resolved in Government Resolution No. 13 that the Minister of Communications will be authorized to implement the Israel Broadcasting Authority Law 5725–1965 (at the time the Resolution was passed, Prime Minister Netanyahu served also as Minister of Communications). – On May 19, 2015, the Government resolved in Government Resolution No. 14 to divide the Ministry of Intelligence into two separate ministries—the Ministry of Intelligence and the Ministry of Strategic Affairs, and to designate Minister Zeev Elkin to fill the position of Minister of Strategic Affairs, in addition to his position as Minister of Immigration and Absorption. – On May 19, 2015, the Government resolved in Government Resolution No. 15 to transfer the areas of activity of the Settlement Division of the World Zionist Organization from the Prime Minister's Office to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. – On May 19, 2015, the Government resolved in Government Resolution No. 16: a) To transfer to the Minister of Finance the authorities of the Minister of Construction granted to him in the Israel Land Administration Law 5720–1960, and to transfer the area of activity of the Israel Land Administration from the Ministry of Construction to the Ministry of Finance. b) To transfer the area of activity pertaining to planning and construction, including the Planning Administration and the regional planning bureaus, from the Ministry of Interior to the Ministry of Finance; and to transfer to the Minister of Finance the authorities granted in several laws, detailed in the Resolution, to the Minister of Interior. The Government determined that the Knesset will be presented for approval with the transfer of the areas of activity detailed in this clause (b), as well as the authorities granted by law to be transferred to the Minister of Finance, after a detailed plan approved in the socioeconomic cabinet is processed. – On May 25, 2015, the Government resolved in Government Resolution No. 25 to add Member of Knesset Gilad Erdan to the Government and appoint him Minister of Public Security in place of Minister Yariv Levin. In addition, the Government resolved to change Resolution No. 14 dated May 19, 2015, to divide the Ministry of Intelligence into two separate ministries—the Ministry of Intelligence and the Ministry of Strategic Affairs and Information. Furthermore, the Government also resolved in this resolution that Minister Gilad Erdan will serve as Minister of Strategic Affairs and Information, in addition to his position as Minister of Public Security. Remark: All Government resolutions passed between May 19, 2015, and May 25, 2015, were presented to the Knesset for approval. It should be noted that Resolution No. 14, pertaining to the division of the Ministry of Intelligence, was not presented to the Knesset for approval as the Government passed an amended resolution on the same matter—see Resolution No. 25 from May 25, 2015. ------------------------------------------------------- – On May 26, 2015, the Government resolved in Government Resolution No. 36 to transfer to the Minister for Senior Citizens the authorities granted to the Prime Minister by the Authority for the Advancement of the Status of Women Law 5758–1998, and to transfer to the Ministry for Senior Citizens the areas of activity of the Authority for the Economic Development of the Arab, Druze and Circassion Sectors, as well as the Digital Israel initiative. – On May 31, 2015, the Government resolved in Government Resolution No. 46 to change Resolution No. 6 dated May 19, 2015, and Resolution No. 14 from the same date, as follows: a) To establish a new Ministry whose name will be the Ministry of Jerusalem Affairs and Heritage. b) To appoint Minister Zeev Elkin Minister of Jerusalem Affairs and Heritage, in addition to his position as Minister of Immigration and Absorption. c) To transfer from the Prime Minister's Office to the Ministry of Jerusalem Affairs and Heritage all areas of activity held by the Prime Minister's Office (transferred to the Prime Minister's Office in the resolutions from May 19, 2015). d) To keep the responsibility over the Western Wall Heritage Foundation in the Prime Minister's Office. e) To transfer the National Heritage Plan from the Prime Minister's Office to the ministry of Jerusalem Affairs and Heritage. – On May 28, 2015 (at 11:30 a.m.) Minister Ze'ev Binyamin Begin submitted a letter of resignation from the Government subsequent to the appointment of Minister Gilad Erdan. The coalition agreement determined the number of government ministers to be 22, and with the appointment of Minister Gilad Erdan, the number of government ministers reached 23 (13 of whom from the Likud). Since the coalition partners refused to accept an additional Likud minister, Benny Begin decided to resign. His resignation took effect on June 1, 2015, at 1:00 p.m. (the Sabbath is not counted in the 48 hours). – On August 4, 2015, the Government resolved in Government Resolution No. 335 to change the name of the Ministry for Senior Citizens to the Ministry of Social Equality. – On August 20, 2015, the government resolved in Government Resolution No. 489 to change the name of the Ministry of Construction to the Ministry of Construction and Housing. – On August 27, 2015, the Government resolved in Government Resolution No. 500 to appoint Danny Danon Permanent Representative to the UN (Israel's Ambassador to the UN). In accordance with Subsection 22(c) of the Basic Law: The Government 5761–2001, Danny Danon's service as Minister of Science, Technology and Space ended as soon as the Government decided to appoint him Ambassador to the UN. Subsection 22(c) of the Basic Law: The Government states that "The service of a Minister in the Government shall end upon his being elected or appointed to one of the positions whose holders are barred from being candidates for the Knesset." – On August 31, 2015, the Government resolved in Government Resolution No. 502 to appoint Minister Ofir Akunis Minister of Science, Technology and Space in place of Minister Danny Danon whose tenure in the Government was terminated following his appointment Israel's Ambassador to the UN. Until this Resolution, Ofir Akunis served as a minister without portfolio. – Following a petition filed by the Yesh Atid parliamentary faction, the High Court of Justice decreed towards the end of August 2015, that Deputy Minister Yakov Litzman could no longer continue to serve as a deputy minister with ministerial status, and that the Prime Minister could no longer hold the health portfolio while the ministry was de facto managed by Deputy Minister Litzman. Following the decision of the High Court of Justice, Moetzet Gedolei haTorah (the Council of Torah Sages) decided to allow Member of Knesset Yakov Litzman to serve as a member of the Government in the position of Minister of Health. Accordingly, on August 31, 2015, the Government resolved in Resolution No. 503 to add Member of Knesset Yakov Litzman to the Government and to change the distribution of functions in the Government so that Minister Yakov Litzman would serve as Minister of Health in place of the Prime Minister, who held that portfolio. – On October 7, 2015, Member of Knesset Naftali Bennett submitted a letter of resignation from the Knesset to the Speaker of the Knesset, following the addition of Section 42c to the Basic Law: The Knesset 5718-1958, which states that a minister who is also a member of Knesset may resign as a member of Knesset (and continue to serve as a member of the government); however, if they cease to serve as a minister, their membership to the Knesset will be renewed. This amendment is known as the Norwegian Law. Bennett's resignation took effect 48 hours later. – On November 1, 2015, the Government resolved in Government Resolution No. 631 to change the name of the Ministry for the Development of the Negev and Galilee to the Ministry for the Development of the Periphery, the Negev and the Galilee, and accordingly, the title of the minister was changed to Minister for the Development of the Periphery, the Negev and the Galilee. On that same day (November 1, 2015), Minister Aryeh Machluf Deri submitted his letter of resignation from his role as Minister of Economy. His resignation took effect on November 3, 2015. Minister Aryeh Machluf Deri continued to serve as a minister in the government as the Minister for the Development of the Periphery, the Negev and the Galilee, and the Prime Minister assumed the role of Minister of Economy on November 3, 2015, in accordance with Subsection 24(b) of the Basic Law: The Government. The Knesset was informed of the change to the name of the ministry and the change in functions. – On November 29, 2015, the Government resolved in Government Resolution No. 783 to change the name of the Ministry of Economy to the Ministry of Economy and Industry. – On Thursday, December 2, 2015 (at 10:41 p.m.) Minister Naftali Bennett, Minister of Education and Minister of Diaspora Affairs, announced his resignation from the Government in order to enable him to resume his role as a Member of Knesset. His return as a Member of Knesset is based on Subsection 42c(c) of the Basic Law: The Knesset (the Norwegian Law). Minister Naftali Bennett's resignation took effect on Sunday, December 6, 2015 at 10:00 a.m., in accordance with Subsection 22(a) of the Basic Law: The Government and Section 5b of the Government Law 5761–2001. On December 6, 2015, the Government resolved in Government Resolution No. 797 to reinstate Member of Knesset Naftali Bennet as an additional member of the Government in the role of Minister of Education and Minister of Diaspora Affairs. On December 7, 2015, the Knesset decided to ratify the Government Resolution to reinstate Member of Knesset Naftali Bennet as Minister of Education and Minister of Diaspora Affairs in the Government. (It should be noted that in the period between Minister Bennett's resignation from the Government taking effect and his reappointment as a government minister, the Prime Minister filled the roles of Minister of Education and Minister of Diaspora Affairs.) – On Thursday, December 24, 2015 (at 2:30 p.m.), Minister Silvan Shalom, Minister of Interior, submitted a letter of resignation from the Government to the Prime Minister. Minister Silvan Shalom's resignation took effect on Sunday, December 27, 2015 at 10:00 a.m., in accordance with Subsection 22(a) of the Basic Law: The Government and to Section 5b of the Government Law. After Silvan Shalom's resignation took effect, the Prime Minister assumed the role of Minister of Interior. – On January 10, 2016, the Government resolved to appoint Minister Aryeh Machluf Deri Minister of Interior (in place of the Prime Minister who was filling the role after Minister Silvan Shalom's resignation), in addition to his position as Minister of the Periphery, the Negev and the Galilee. The Government Resolution regarding the appointment was approved by the Knesset on January 11, 2016. – On January 31, 2016, the Government resolved in Government Resolution No.1078 to appoint the Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, Minister of Economy and Industry, in addition to his roles as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Communications and Minister of Regional Cooperation. The Prime Minister's appointment took place three months after Minister Aryeh Machluf Deri resigned from the position of Minister of Economy and Industry, on November 3, 2015, and the Prime Minister began serving as Acting Minister of Economy and Industry. The Government Resolution regarding the appointment of the Prime Minister to serve as Minister of Economy and Industry was approved by the Knesset on February 1, 2016. – On May 20, 2016, Minister of Defense, Moshe (Bogie) Yaalon, informed the Acting Cabinet Secretary of his intention to resign from the Government. Minister Moshe (Bogie) Yaalon's intention was conveyed that same day to the members of the Government as required in Subsection 22(a) of the Basic Law: The Government. On that same day (May 20, 2016), at 5:00 p.m., Minister Moshe (Bogie) Yaalon submitted his letter of resignation from the Government to the Prime Minister. His resignation took effect on May 22, 2016, at 5:00 p.m., at which time the Prime Minister also began serving as Minister of Defense. The Knesset was informed of the aforementioned on May 23, 2016. – On Friday, May 27, 2016, Minister of Environmental Protection Avi Gabbay informed the Acting Cabinet Secretary of his intention to resign from the Government. Minister Avi Gabbay's intention was conveyed that same day to the members of the Government. On Sunday, May 29, 2016, at 10:06 a.m., Minister Avi Gabbay submitted his letter of resignation from the Government to the Prime Minister. His resignation took effect on May 31, 2016, at 10:06 a.m. The Knesset was informed of Minister Avi Gabbay's termination of tenure in the Government on May 31, 2016. – On May 30, 2016, the Government resolved in Government Resolution No. 1473: a) In accordance with the authority granted in Section 15 of the Basic Law: The Government, to add Members of Knesset Avigdor Liberman, Sofa Landver and Tzachi Hanegbi to the Government. b) In accordance with the authority granted in Subsection 31(a) of the Basic Law: The Government: i. To appoint Minister Avigdor Liberman Minister of Defense in place of the Prime Minister, who has been filling the position since May 22, 2016, in accordance with Subsection 24(b) of the Basic Law: The Government. The Prime Minister will continue to serve as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Communications, Minister of Economy and Industry and Minister of Regional Cooperation. ii. To appoint Minister Sofa Landver Minister of Immigration and Absorption in place of Minister Zeev Elkin, who will continue to serve as Minister of Jerusalem Affairs and Heritage. iii. To appoint Minister Tzachi Hanegbi minister without portfolio. On that same day (May 30, 2016), the Knesset approved the addition of the ministers and the change to the distribution of functions, and the new ministers took the oath of office in the Knesset and assumed their offices. – On June 2, 2016, the Government decided to designate, in accordance with Subsection 24(b) of the Basic Law: The Government, Minister Moshe Kahlon to fill the position of Minister of Environmental Protection, in addition to his position as Minister of Finance. The Knesset was notified that Minister Moshe Kahlon was designated to serve as Acting Minister of Environmental Protection on June 6, 2016. – On July 31, 2016, the Government resolved in Government Resolution No. 1752 to change the distribution of functions in the Government as follows: a) Minister Moshe Kahlon will serve as Minister of Economy and Industry in place of the Prime Minister, in addition to Minister Kahlon's position as Minister of Finance. b) Minister Zeev Elkin will serve as Minister of Environmental Protection in place of Minister Moshe Kahlon, who filled the position in accordance with Subsection 24(b) of the Basic Law: The Government, in addition to Minister Elkin's position as Minister of Jerusalem Affairs and Heritage. The Knesset approved this resolution on August 1, 2016. – In addition, in Government Resolution No. 1754 from the same day (July 31, 2016), the Government resolved to divide the Ministry of Economy and Industry and to unite part thereof with the Ministry of Welfare and Social Services so that the field of employment will be transferred to the Ministry of Welfare and Social Services, whose name will be changed to the Ministry of Labor, Welfare and Social Services. In accordance with this Resolution, several areas of activity were transferred from the Ministry of Economy and Industry to the Ministry of Labor, Welfare and Social Services, and a long list of authorities granted by law was transferred from the Minister of Economy and Industry to the Minister of Labor, Welfare and Social Services. The Knesset approved this resolution on August 1, 2016. – On December 20, 2016, the Government resolved to appoint Minister Tzachi Hanegbi (minister without portfolio) Minister of Regional Cooperation, in place of the Prime Minister, who held the portfolio, in addition to the foreign affairs and communications portfolios. Minister Tzachi Hanegbi's appointment as Minister of Regional Cooperation was approved by the Knesset on December 27, 2016. – On January 22, 2017, the Government resolved in Government Resolution No. 2313 to add ministers to the Government and change the distribution of functions among the ministers as follows: a) To add Member of Knesset Ayoob Kara as a minister without portfolio. b) To add Member of Knesset Eli Cohen as a minister in the government and appoint him Minister of Economy and Industry in place of Minister Moshe Kahlon, who will continue to serve as Minister of Finance. The Knesset approved this resolution on January 23, 2017. – On February 19, 2017, Prime Minister Netanyahu submitted his letter of resignation as Minister of Communications to the Cabinet Secretary. The resignation took effect on February 21, 2017, 48 hours after submitting the letter of resignation. On February 21, 2017, the Government resolved in Government Resolution No. 2423 to appoint Minister Tzachi Hanegbi to serve as Acting Minister of Communications in addition to his position as Minister of Regional Cooperation. The period for which the position is to be filled is three months, in accordance with the Basic Law: The Government. The Knesset was notified of this on the same day (February 21, 2017). – On April 2, 2017, the Government resolved in Government Resolution No. 2590 to change the name of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Space to the Ministry of Science and Technology, and accordingly, the title of the minister was also changed to the Minister of Science and Technology. – On May 28, 2017, the Government resolved in Government Resolution No. 2688 to appoint Minister Ayoob Kara (minister without portfolio) Minister of Communications in place of Minister Tzachi Hanegbi. The resolution was approved by the Knesset on May 29, 2017. – On June 11, 2017, the Government resolved in Government Resolution No. 2732 to change the name of the Ministry of National Infrastructures, Energy and Water to the Ministry of Energy. Accordingly, the title of the minister was changed to the Minister of Energy. – On November 26, 2017, at 10:30 a.m., Minister of Health Yakov Litzman submitted a letter of resignation to the Prime Minister following railway maintenance work conducted on the Sabbath. The resignation took effect on November 28, 2017, at 10:30 a.m., at which time the Prime Minister assumed the role of Minister of Health. The Knesset was informed of the resignation on November 28, 2017. *