Netanyahu Plans to Appoint New Interior Minister Soon, Considering Non-MK Candidate

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently deliberating the appointment of a new Interior Minister, a position that has remained vacant for over a year. The decision is expected shortly and will be coordinated with Aryeh Deri, chairman of the Shas party, who will only approve a mutually agreed candidate. Leading contenders include Coalition Chairman Ofir Katz, Ministers Miki Zohar and Yariv Levin, as well as Israel Ozen, the Director-General of the Interior Ministry.

If Netanyahu appoints a member of the Knesset, the appointment does not require a Knesset vote; however, selecting Ozen, who is not a Knesset member, would necessitate parliamentary approval. Aryeh Deri favors Yariv Levin, but Levin’s current holding of four ministerial portfolios complicates his potential appointment. Earlier this month, Netanyahu informed the Supreme Court of his intention to fill the Interior Ministry post before upcoming elections. Reports also indicate that Netanyahu plans a series of government ministry reshuffles. Discussions between Winter and Ardan about party unification continue, with a narrow government coalition under Netanyahu remaining a key issue.