Jewish Home joining government
Photo: Dudi Vaaknin
Likud, Jewish Home sign coalition deal
Jewish Home to receive science portfolio, co-head Knesset's Education Committee
Fourth coalition agreement: After Yisrael Beiteinu, Shas, and Labor signed coalition agreements with Likud, Wednesday night a deal was signed between Benjamin Netanyahu's party and the Jewish Home faction.
Jewish home has now become the fifth party to join the Netanyahu government.
According to the agreement, the party will receive the science portfolio. In addition, a law will be passed that would enable one minister at any party to quit the Knesset, enabling another member on the list to take his place.
Also as part of the agreement, Jewish Home representatives will be heading the Knesset Committee on Children's Rights and the Knesset's Education Committee for one-third of the government's term in office.
Likud's top negotiator, MK Gideon Sa'ar, expressed his satisfaction with the latest coalition deal.
"The Jewish Home faction is a faction that is close to us in many ways," he said. "We are very happy to have reached this point, even though we faced various types of difficulties; but, thank God, we overcame them."
The Jewish Home's Science Minister-designate, Prof. Daniel Hershkowitz, said the two parties signed an agreement marking a joint beginning right on the eve of the Jewish month of Nisan.
"We are aware that Israel faces important decisions, which I hope will not be difficult ones," he said. "The Jewish Home is truly a natural partner and I hope this partnership will get stronger and truly bring good results."
