Full coverage· Politics· Updated 11 Nov, 14:23

Transition Government Meets Amid Low Attendance, Appoints Sa'ar Interior Minister

The Israeli government approved the appointment of Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar as the new Interior Minister on Wednesday. The decision, proposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was announced by the Prime Minister's Office. Sa'ar will hold both the Foreign and Interior Ministry portfolios simultaneously during the transitional government's term.

5 newsrooms · 1 language · since 11 Nov, 11:48

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What happened

01The Israeli government approved the appointment of Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar as the new Interior Minister on Wednesday.
02Gideon Sa'ar will hold both the Foreign and Interior Ministry portfolios simultaneously during the transitional government's term.
03The appointment was proposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and does not require Knesset approval.
04The Interior Ministry portfolio had been vacant for approximately a year before Sa'ar's appointment.
05Only 12 out of 33 ministers attended the first meeting of the transitional government on Wednesday.
06According to Srugim, the appointment is seen as a signal to Gadi Eisenkot about the challenges of forming a government.
07Likud sources stated that MK Ofir Katz declined the role before it was offered to Sa'ar.
08The transitional government also approved the appointment of four new Israeli ambassadors during the meeting.

This marks Sa'ar's second term in the role, having previously served as Interior Minister between 2013 and 2014. The position of Interior Minister, which manages domestic affairs such as local government and the population registry, had been vacant for approximately a year. Because this is a transitional government, the appointment does not require Knesset approval.

The appointment was initiated on Tuesday before the swearing-in of the 26th Knesset. According to Srugim, the move is interpreted as a signal to Gadi Eisenkot regarding the difficulties of forming a government. Likud sources reported that Netanyahu initially offered the position to MK Ofir Katz, who declined to focus on consolidating the right-wing bloc's efforts in the Knesset.

The transitional government convened for its first meeting with only 12 of its 33 ministers in attendance. During the session, the government also approved the appointment of four new Israeli ambassadors. Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed the Knesset, expressing openness to forming a government of national unity to face upcoming challenges.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 5 newsrooms. Updated 10:12

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