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From the Liveblog of
Sunday, July 21, 2024
From the Liveblog of
Sunday, July 21, 2024
Levin to be acting PM while Netanyahu is in US; Katz authorized to convene security cabinet
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
Justice Minister Yariv Levin (second from left, flanked by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to his right, and National Infrastructure Minister Yisrael Katz during a vote on the reasonableness limitation bill in the Knesset plenum, July 24, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Justice Minister Yariv Levin will be Israel’s temporary acting premier while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in Washington this week.
In addition, Foreign Minister Israel Katz iss authorized to convene the security cabinet if necessary while Netanyahu is away.
Amid public tension between Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, the selections are seen by some as a slight by the prime minister against his intraparty rival.
Israeli law requires an acting prime minister to step in during situations in which the leader is either abroad or temporarily unable to perform their duties.
