From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Almog Cohen withdraws resignation from government just before it takes effect
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleSam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
Deputy Minister Almog Cohen (Otzma Yehudit) withdraws his resignation from the government only hours before it is set to take effect.
Cohen, a deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, wrote to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to announce his resignation on Sunday, saying he aimed to return to the Knesset in order to advance legislation to establish an airport in the southern town of Nevatim.
Cohen, a resident of the southern city of Ofakim, has long been a proponent of establishing a civilian airport in the Negev. Despite reservations from security officials, a bill sponsored by Cohen and other lawmakers calling for the establishment of an international airport in Nevatim, already the site of an Israel Air Force base, is currently making its way through the Knesset.
However, Israel’s National Planning and Building Council is said to be discussing an alternate location in the Jezreel Valley, angering Cohen, who lashed out at an alleged “deep state” which he said was undermining his efforts.
According to national broadcaster Kan, Cohen rescinded his resignation after speaking with Netanyahu, whom a representative for the far-right politician said had agreed to “hold an urgent discussion with the army on the issue of promoting an airport in the Negev.”
The resignation came on the heels of “the cancellation of discussions on the Ramat David Civil Airport today in the National Planning and Building Council,” a representative for Cohen tells Kan.
The Times of Israel Community.