Bennett makes first appointments in Prime Minister's Office

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announces his first series of appointments as premier, tapping his longtime aide Tal Gan Zvi as his chief of staff.

Bennett names Matan Sidi, another aide, as the prime minister’s spokesperson, and appoints Arab affairs analyst and Yedioth Ahronoth columnist Shimrit Meir as his adviser for international affairs.

A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office notes Bennett’s request for National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat and Military Secretary Avi Blot, both of whom were appointed by Netanyahu, to remain in their posts for now.

It also says other appointments such as the director-general of the Prime Minister’s Office and the cabinet secretary will be made later.