Shalom agrees to enter Netanyahu government
Likud MK accepts Netanyahu's offer to serve as vice premier, regional development minister in new coalition
Less than an hour before the swearing in ceremony of Benjamin Netanyahu's government commenced Tuesday afternoon, the prime minister-designate decided to appoint fellow Likud Knesset Member Silvan Shalom to the post of regional development minister, vice premier and minister for the development of the Negev and Galilee.
Shalom accepted Netanyahu's offer and will be a member of the incoming Likud-led coalition.
Following a meeting between the two at the Knesset, it was announced that Shalom will also be a member of the limited cabinet – dubbed the "kitchenette" it is the inner circle of advisors to the prime minister.
Netanyahu wanted to offer Shalom a seat in the limited cabinet, but the move was thwarted by incoming Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, head of the rightist Yisrael Beiteinu party.
As part of his additional duties, Netanyahu will design Israel's financial policies and head the Financial Cabinet.
