Netanyahu Plans to Appoint Interior Minister During Election Period, Tells Israeli Supreme Court

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed the Israeli Supreme Court that he intends to appoint a permanent Interior Minister during the ongoing election period. This update was submitted by the state in response to a petition filed by the Movement for Quality Government demanding the appointment of a permanent Interior Minister and the reversal of government decisions that transferred some Interior Ministry powers to the Prime Minister.

The state acknowledged that the absence of a permanent Interior Minister has caused significant legal and practical difficulties, detailing dozens of affected authorities. It noted that temporary solutions, such as delegating certain powers to the Prime Minister, have been insufficient and have created additional challenges. The government has transferred about 90 Interior Ministry powers to the Prime Minister and some to the Finance Minister, but many of these transfers have yet to be approved by the Knesset.

Following the petition hearing, the Supreme Court requested the state to specify the problems caused by the lack of a permanent Interior Minister and how it plans to address them. Netanyahu's announcement came after consultations with the Attorney General and an assessment of unresolved needs within the Interior Ministry's responsibilities. The state emphasized that the difficulties are intensifying over time and that appointing a permanent minister is necessary to fully exercise the ministry's important powers.