PM said to freeze Chikli’s resignation from extra ministry amid Likud threats

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reported to have frozen the intended resignation of Likud lawmaker Amichai Chikli from his post as social equity minister in an effort to limit spending on what has widely been seen as an excessive number of government offices amid the war.

The Kan public broadcaster reports tonight that Netanyahu froze the move amid threats from members of his party.

Chikli said yesterday he would continue to serve as diaspora affairs minister, and also return to the Knesset in a move that would ostensibly force one of the ruling Likud party’s current lawmakers to resign.

An expansion of the so-called Norwegian Law last January allowed for a greater number of ministers and deputy ministers from large factions to resign from the Knesset, with their positions as MKs taken by members of their parties.