Israeli government approves reshuffle of ministers

The Israeli cabinet on Sunday authorized a reshuffle in its line-up of ministers, according to the Israeli Prime Minister's Office.

The ministers authorized the reshuffle of portfolios between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party and the center-right Kulanu party, led by Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon, a spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office said.

As part of the reshuffle, Kahlon will receive the Economy Ministry in addition to the Finance Ministry, and the Environmental Protection portfolio, held up until now by Kulanu, will move to the Likud party.

Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Ze'ev Elkin from the Likud will take over as the environmental protection minister. The post was filled in the past by Avi Gabbay from Kulanu, who resigned from the government in May after hawkish Avigdor Lieberman was appointed as defense minister.

Some of the major responsibilities of the Economy Ministry in the field of employment were stripped off from it during negotiations between Netanyahu and Kahlon, and those would transfer to the Welfare Ministry, led by Likud minister Haim Katz.

The reshuffle is a result of an agreement between Netanyahu and Kahlon from May, following Gabbay's resignation from the government, as Kahlon asked for an upgrade in his party's ministries. Endit