Haim Katz.Photo: Channel 7.
On 23 January, the Israeli government approved the appointment of Tourism Minister Haim Katz (Likud) as interim head of three more ministries: National Security, Development of the Negev and Galilee, and Jewish Heritage. The decision was made after the Otsma Yehudit party, led by Itamar Ben-Gvir, left the government coalition, Time Ukraine Israel reports, citing Vesty.
Reasons and political context
The Otsma Yehudit party resigned from the government in protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s agreements with Hamas. Katz’s appointment is seen as a political signal to Ben-Gvir that he wants him back in the government. The temporary status of the appointment lasts for three months.
This step is also strategic. According to the government’s decision, Haim Katz will join the military-political cabinet. In addition, Minister of Science and Technology Gila Gamliel (Likud) will have a vote in the cabinet, which will increase her influence.
Reaction to the appointment
The decision caused a wave of criticism among members of the government and the opposition. Interior Minister Moshe Arbel (Shas) was the only one to vote against it. Other ministers expressed outrage, but limited themselves to verbal protests.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid said:
“This is a clear disregard for government departments. The government has become a machine for political deals, forgetting the interests of the people.”
Likud sources also expressed doubts about the effectiveness of this appointment. Some suggest that the portfolios are not being kept for Ben-Gvir, but for the possible accession of the State Camp party led by Benny Gantz to the coalition.
Legal and moral aspects
It is worth noting that Israeli law allows those accused of criminal offences to lead the government, but prohibits them from being ministers. Haim Katz was previously found guilty of a minor public interest offence.
Implications for the government
Katz’s appointment resolved a delicate situation in which Netanyahu formally controlled three “ownerless” ministries. However, this decision has triggered new debates about the government’s effectiveness and the prime minister’s credibility.
Although Haim Katz has a reputation as a hard-working politician, many doubt that one person is capable of running four ministries at once.
