Milestones set by new government: 1st kippah-wearing PM, 1st to include Arabs

The new government is breaking some new ground in Israel’s history, as its premier Naftali Bennett becomes the first kippa-wearing Orthodox prime minister and the Ra’am party becomes the first Arab Israeli faction to join a governing coalition.

A record-breaking nine women hold ministerial portfolios in the new government, including some of the most influential ones: transportation minister Merav Michaeli (Labor), interior minister Ayelet Shaked (Yamina), education minister Yifat Shasha-Biton (New Hope), economy minister Orna Barbivai (Yesh Atid), energy minister Karine Elharrar (Yesh Atid), social equality minister Merav Cohen (Yesh Atid), immigrant absorption minister Pnina Tamano-Shata (Blue and White), environmental protection minister Tamar Zandberg (Meretz), science minister Orit Farkash-Hacohen (Blue and White).