New ministers assume office

Jewish Home MK Ayelet Shaked formally enters office as justice minister, vowing to find “the right balance” between the Knesset and courts.

“The justice system is one of the founding principles of our democracy, and I will not bring it down, but I will make sure that it does not erode the powers of the legislative and executive branches,” she says. “I will work to boost the standing of the Knesset.”

Jewish Home leader Naftali Bennett hands over the Economy Ministry to Shas leader Aryeh Deri.

Deri says, according to the Walla news website: “When I sat at the cabinet meeting on Thursday [sic] I looked right and left and noticed that I am the most veteran [politician] there. When I was interior minister, Netanyahu was a young MK who came from the UN.”

Earlier, Kulanu’s Yoav Galant officially became housing minister.

Ex-housing minister Uri Ariel (Jewish Home) urged him to increase construction in order to lower housing prices, primarily in the capital.

“We have two central issues in the office: one is building units in Israel with a focus on prices, and I will emphasize Jerusalem, which deserves special mention. I wish you success in building up Jerusalem.”

Likud’s Miri Regev, entering office as culture and sports minister, addresses the ongoing FIFA dispute and says politics and sports must not mix.