Despite the Attorney General's objection: The Knesset plenum approved the appointments of the Otzma Yehudit faction ministers this evening (Wednesday).
65 Knesset members supported, compared to 46 who opposed.
Immediately after the votes, Ministers Ben Gvir and Eliyahu Wasserlauf declared their allegiance from the podium.
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Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was appointed Minister of National Security, Minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf was appointed Minister of the Negev, the Galilee and National Resilience, and Minister Amichai Eliyahu was appointed Minister of Heritage.
From this time on, Otzma Yehudit joins the Israeli government and the coalition.
Otzma Yehudit Chairman, Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir: "I am returning tonight to manage the Ministry of National Security. A ministry in which we have led many changes - including raising police salaries, dealing with incitement to terrorism, ending the detention of minors by terrorists in prisons, reforming weapons for civilians, adding thousands of positions to the ministry's bodies, and more. Much work lies ahead of us, and with God's help, I will continue, together with my office staff, to instill my policy in the Prison Service and the police.".
Like a groom on his happy day: MK Ben Gvir entered the Knesset plenary and was embraced by his government colleagues@itamarbengvir @shlomo_karhi @Eliyahu_a pic.twitter.com/PP0egMbXDL
— Knesset Channel (@KnessetT) March 19, 2025
He added: "Minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf returned to the Ministry of the Negev, Galilee and National Resilience, who worked with great vigor and brought many results in the Negev and Galilee, as dozens of heads of authorities attest. Minister Amichai Eliyahu returned to the Ministry of Heritage, who carried out important activities in the development of heritage sites and worked to promote many projects for the preservation of heritage.".
""Otzma Yehudit is returning to the coalition tonight after the State of Israel came to power. I thank the Prime Minister for his trust - together we will act for the entire people of Israel.".
Communications Minister Shlomo Kari told the opposition in the plenum: "You are willing to crush Israeli democracy for one purpose only – to overthrow this government along with it. You do not want the rule of the people, you do not believe in elections. You prefer that the Attorney General and the judges determine destinies and outline policy.".
""I congratulate my friends Ben Gvir, Sarlauf and Eliyahu. This is a stable government that will continue to face the challenges that the State of Israel faces. This government continues to work and will fulfill its days.".
