Netanyahu offers national security post to ultranationalist Ben-Gvir
Under the newly created position, Jewish Power leader Itamar Ben-Gvir will manage both the Public Security Ministry and the Border Police forces operating in the West Bank.
Jewish Power leader Itamar Ben-Gvir now starts preparing for his new position of national security minister. On Nov. 25, the office of Prime Minister-elect Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he had made serious headway in forming his sixth government by signing his first coalition agreement with the Jewish Power party. As national security minister, Ben-Gvir will also serve in the security Cabinet.
The position of a national security minister is new. It is comprised of the Ministry of Public Security, to which the coalition agreement adds more powers. These include Ben-Gvir assuming authority over the Border Police in the West Bank, which is the main force used to evacuate illegal settlements. The agreement also states that in order to reinforce governability, public order, personal security, and the war against organized crime and protection rackets, an expansive new national guard will be created.
Ben-Gvir’s party, which holds six seats in the Knesset — after splitting with the Religious Zionism party — will also receive two additional ministries: the Ministry for the Development of the Negev and the Galilee, and a newly created Ministry of Jewish Heritage, which will be responsible for all antiquities and heritage sites in Israel and the West Bank areas under Israel’s control.
As expected, the controversial appointment of Ben-Gvir to such a sensitive position involving national security elicited harsh reactions from future members of the opposition.
