JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed a former enemy, Gideon Saar, as a member of his Cabinet on Sunday, expanding his alliance and strengthening his hold on business. According to their agreement, Saar will assist in the protection cabinet, the body responsible for managing Israel’s Middle Eastern allies, and will serve as a minister without a portfolio.
Saar ( 57 ) had hoped to replace defence minister Yoav Gallant, another rival of Netanyahu’s. However, a bid to be defense secretary fell through a few weeks ago as fighting with Hezbollah along Israel’s northern frontier raged, putting the renowned Gallant in business for the time being.
Saar and the prime minister have a contentious connection. He once had a reputation as a rising star in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party, but he resigned after four years after being accused of turning it into a” cult of personality” as he battled corruption charges.
Since then, nevertheless, Saar has struggled as head of a little conservative group, enjoying much help with the broader community. While he and Netanyahu have much love for one another, they share a hard-line philosophy toward Israel’s Muslim enemies.
In recent months, Saar has said Israel may fight until Hamas is destroyed. He also has called for tougher motion against Hezbollah’s partner, Iran. And like Netanyahu, he strongly opposes the creation of a Palestinian position.
They said in a joint declaration that they had put their distinctions at the table for the benefit of the country.
Netanyahu’s choice appears to have been driven in part by local politics.
In the upcoming weeks, he will face a number of important social issues, including the controversial topic of bringing ultra-Orthodox men into the military, passing a resources, and taking the walk in his long-running corruption trial. On many of these concerns, Saar is anticipated to assist Netanyahu.
His nomination also has the potential to lessen the effect of ultranationalists in his coalition. Bezalel Smotrich, the Jewish finance minister, and Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s secretary of regional security, are spiritual demagogues who have threatened to bring down the government if Netanyahu makes very some concessions in any cease-fire offer. Ben-Gvir’s controversial visits to a disputed divine site in Jerusalem have also drawn international criticism.
Sunday’s deal gives Saar, who hopes to become prime minister one evening, an opportunity to revive his political career, while expanding Netanyahu’s lot alliance to 68 votes in the 120-seat congress.
