Netanyahu doesn’t reappoint deputy defense minister

18 November 2018, 2:19 pm

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Prime Minister Netanyahu has declined to reappoint Eli Ben-Dahan as deputy defense minister.

Ben-Dahan was required to leave his post following last week’s resignation of Avigdor Liberman as defense minister. Under Israeli law, if a minister steps down his deputy must also resign, though the prime minister can allow the deputy minister to continue in his role.

Liberman’s decision to resign left the ruling coalition with a one-seat majority and raised the chances of early elections being called.

Education Minister Naftali Bennett, who is the head of the pro-settlement Jewish Home party to which Ben-Dahan belongs, has demanded the defense portfolio as a condition for remaining in the coalition.