Government expected to shutter Intelligence Ministry, appoint Gamliel as science minister

By Sam Sokol 13 March 2024, 6:10 pm

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Sam 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"

Intelligence Minister Gila Gamliel attends the Christian Feast of Tabernacles event organized by the Jerusalem Christian Embassy, held at the Arena stadium in Jerusalem on October 3, 2023. (Chaim Goldberg/FLASH90)

The government is likely to approve the closure of the Intelligence Ministry during Sunday’s cabinet meeting.

According to Hebrew media reports, the cabinet is expected to appoint Intelligence Minister Gila Gamliel as the new Science and Technology Minister in place of Ofir Akunis, who was recently tapped as Israel’s next consul-general in New York City.

The Intelligence Ministry is one of 10 government ministries that the Finance Ministry recently recommended closing to cover a wartime budget shortfall.

Since October 7, Gamliel has been a vocal proponent for the “voluntary resettlement” of Gazans.