Netanyahu taps Likud ally to serve as justice minister

Prime Minister Netanyahu has tapped Likud MK Amir Ohana to serve as justice minister.

A statement from Netanyahu’s spokeswoman cites Ohana’s legal experience, noting he has a law degree and worked as a lawyer before entering politics.

A spokesman for Netanyahu’s Likud party tells reporters that with his appointment, Ohana will be the first gay minister to serve in the security cabinet.

Ohana, a vocal supporter of the prime minister in the Knesset, had been considered one of the front-runners for the position, which opened up after Netanyahu fired right-wing rival Ayelet Shaked as justice minister on Sunday.

Netanyahu became acting justice minister Tuesday when Shaked’s firing took effect, but faced pressure to hand over the portfolio in light of pending indictments in a trio of corruption cases.

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