Israeli Parties Vie for Key Ministerial Posts Ahead of Elections

With the upcoming Knesset elections just three weeks away, Israeli political parties have begun publicly staking claims to key ministerial portfolios in the next government. Among the most sought-after positions are the ministries of Defense, Justice, Education, and National Security.

Ofer Winter, chairman of the Am Israel party, declared his intention to become the next Minister of Defense, stating it was his path to implementing his strategy for integrating Haredim into the IDF and achieving decisive outcomes. He expressed frustration with his inability to influence policy from within the system, believing he could be more effective as minister.

Meanwhile, Itamar Ben-Gvir, chairman of Otzma Yehudit, also announced his demand for the Defense Ministry post. Ben-Gvir has outlined a platform that includes encouraging voluntary emigration from Gaza and Judea and Samaria, raising soldiers' salaries, providing free land to combat soldiers, and altering IDF open-fire regulations and ethical codes. The Likud party responded to Ben-Gvir's claims, asserting that the Defense Ministry would remain with Likud and would not be a subject for coalition negotiations. Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana commented that parties must win the election before making demands.

In the Justice Ministry, Knesset Member Tali Gottlieb, representing Otzma Yehudit, stated her party's demand for the portfolio, although Gottlieb herself is ineligible to serve as minister due to parliamentary immunity. Yaakov Bardugo, a Likud candidate and close associate of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has also expressed interest in the Justice Ministry, though reports suggest Netanyahu favors him for the Communications Ministry, partly due to the low ranking of the current Communications Minister, Shlomo Karhi, on the Likud list. The Religious Zionism party, led by Bezalel Smotrich, has presented a comprehensive plan for judicial reform but has not officially demanded the Justice Ministry. Opposition parties, including the Democrats, have also expressed interest in the Justice Ministry, with leader Yair Golan stating his party would seek it to "fortify democracy."

The Education Ministry is another point of contention. Current Minister Yoav Kisch of Likud intends to retain the position. However, the National Unity party has designated education professional Adi Altshuler for the role. Other parties, including Achva, the Democrats, and Noam, have also put forward candidates for the Education Ministry, with Noam's chairman Avi Maoz explicitly demanding the post.

Beyond these core ministries, significant attention is focused on the Ministry of National Security, a portfolio currently held by Ben-Gvir. His party has indicated that Yitzhak Wasserlauf is slated to succeed him. The issue of national security has been raised by nearly all parties, citing rising crime rates, murder statistics, and perceived lack of governance under the current administration. Israel Beiteinu has nominated former minister Hamad Amar for the role, while the Democrats may be considering Yair Golan. Former Deputy Minister of National Security Yoav Seglovitz, now with Ra'am, has also expressed interest in the position, as has Yoram Cohen, though his party has not made a formal claim.