Netanyahu Wants Justice Ministry for Likud in Next Government
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that the Justice Ministry will remain with the Likud party if the right-wing bloc wins the next election. This sensitive portfolio is highly sought after by coalition partners, with Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit and Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionism party also expressing interest. The ministry is expected to be a key focus for the next government, particularly concerning potential judicial reforms. Netanyahu's stated intention is to maintain Likud's control over these judicial initiatives.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants the Justice Ministry to remain with the Likud party in the next government.
- The Justice Ministry is considered a highly sensitive and sought-after portfolio in coalition negotiations.
- Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party is demanding the Justice Ministry for MK Tali Gottlieb.
- Religious Zionism, led by Bezalel Smotrich, is also interested in the Justice Ministry portfolio.
- Potential Likud candidates for the role include Yariv Levin, Yaakov Bardugo, and David Peter.
- The ministry is expected to be central to potential judicial reforms in the next government.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated in closed-door discussions that if the right-wing bloc wins the upcoming elections and forms the next government, the Ministry of Justice will remain with the Likud party and will not be given to a coalition partner. The Justice Ministry is emerging as one of the most sought-after and sensitive portfolios in potential post-election coalition negotiations.
Otzma Yehudit chairman Itamar Ben-Gvir has already declared his intention to demand the Justice Ministry for his party's second-ranked candidate, Member of Knesset Tali Gottlieb. Gottlieb, who previously left the Likud party in September 2026 to join Otzma Yehudit, was reportedly placed second on the party's list without being designated a defector.
Within the Likud party, several potential candidates for the Justice Ministry have been mentioned, including the current Justice Minister Yariv Levin, and new candidates Yaakov Bardugo, a media personality and Channel 14 presenter, and lawyer David Peter. The Religious Zionism party, led by Bezalel Smotrich, is also reportedly eyeing the ministry, with its candidate Simcha Rothman, chairman of the Constitution Committee, being considered.
The anticipated struggle for the ministry is significant, especially after the past term was dominated by the judicial reform debate. The Justice Ministry is expected to be a central focus for the next government, with expectations on the right for continued efforts to reform the justice system. These potential changes include the method of appointing judges, the role of legal advisors to the government, and the relationship between the government and the judiciary. According to Netanyahu's statements in private talks, his party intends to retain control over these initiatives by keeping the ministry within Likud.
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