Agreement signed between Likud and Otzma: Ben Gvir will be Minister of National Security

November 25, 2022   

On the way to the government: The Likud and Otzma Yehudit factions reached a conclusion this morning (Friday), after a night of hectic discussions, on a position annex for the next government. The annex brings the signing of the full agreement closer, which will include budgets, substantive issues, and basic guidelines. The annex to the agreement joins the conclusions reached last week, according to which the status of the five-year term will be regulated, the yeshiva in Eviatar will be regulated, the settlement of the young, the Protection Law with up to 10 years in prison, and an expanded 'Southern Law' that will allow gun thieves to be shot from bases. As part of the agreements: MK Itamar Ben-Gvir will be appointed "Minister of National Security" - Minister of Public Security with expanded powers. In addition to the "National Security" portfolio for MK Ben-Gvir, Otzma Yehudit will receive the Negev and Galilee and "National Resilience" portfolios. Otzma Yehudit will also accept the positions of Minister of Heritage, Deputy Minister of Economy, Chairman of the Public Security Committee, and Chairman of the Israel Fund Committee on a rotating basis. List of positions of Otzma Yehudit members: • MK Itamar Ben Gvir - Minister of "National Security" • MK Yitzhak Wasserlauf - Minister of Negev, Galilee and Neighborhoods (an additional 2 billion NIS and authority over the regulation of outposts) • MK Amichai Eliyahu - Minister of Heritage • MK Almog Cohen - Deputy Minister of Economy (may change) • MK Zvika Fogel - Chairman of the Public Security Committee • MK Limor Son Har Melech - Chairman of the Israel Fund Committee (rotation) As part of the expansion of the powers of the "National Security" portfolio, Otzma Yehudit will receive the Public Security Ministry with extensive powers, including the Green Police, the Green Patrol, the Land Enforcement Authority and the Border Guard in Judea and Samaria. In parallel with his role as "Minister of National Security", Ben Gvir will also serve as a member of the Political and Security Cabinet and the various ministerial committees. It was also agreed to establish a large-scale national guard, and the Border Guard reserve system will be expanded to full functionality. Otzma Yehudit also received the Ministry for the Development of the Negev and Galilee as part of the agreement, and it was agreed to expand its powers and areas of operation - and it will be called the Ministry for the Development of the Negev and Galilee and National Resilience. According to the announcement, the new ministry will be budgeted at two billion NIS per year, for the development and strengthening of the Negev and Galilee and the neighborhoods, increasing growth engines in youth centers, caring for senior citizens, and implementing national projects to strengthen Israeli society. [Gallery]

Yariv Levin and Otzma Yehudit representative Hanmal Dorfman. Photo: Spokesperson

In addition, the Planning Director at the Ministry of Negev and Galilee Development and Social Resilience will be responsible for implementing the regulation of the new settlement rule in Judea and Samaria in accordance with the decisions of a team of ministers headed by the Prime Minister. Otzma Yehudit will also receive the Ministry of Heritage, which will deal with all heritage sites and antiquities in Israel, including Judea and Samaria. The Ministry of Heritage will also include the Israel Antiquities Authority, the Council for the Preservation of Sites and will work to develop and preserve the history of the Jewish people. Otzma Yehudit will also receive the chairmanship of the Knesset Public Security Committee, the chairmanship of the Israel Citizens Fund Committee on a rotating basis, and a deputy minister in the Ministry of Economy. MK Yariv Levin, the center of the Likud negotiating team, said: "I welcome the signing of the agreement with the Otzma Yehudit faction, which is the first agreement on the path to establishing a stable right-wing government headed by Benjamin Netanyahu that will lead the State of Israel to good years." MK Itamar Ben-Gvir said: "Tonight we took an important step towards establishing a full-fledged right-wing government. Restoring security to the streets is a concern for the Negev and the Galilee, and for national resilience for senior citizens and youth centers, as well as for heritage sites in Israel. I am happy that the agreement on the ministries that Otzma Yehudit will receive will allow us to fulfill our election promises - for security and strengthening the Negev, the Galilee, and the periphery." Ben Gvir added: "I call on all right-wing factions to form a fully right-wing government as quickly as possible. Lapid and Gantz must not rule the State of Israel for another day." This morning, Ben Gvir said: "Otzma Yehudit received tonight the tools to restore security to the citizens of the State of Israel, to take care of the residents of the Negev, the Galilee, and the periphery, and to strengthen Jewish heritage and identity. We will do everything to fulfill what we promised. The time has come for a fully right-wing government.".