Sa’ar: Joining government now is ‘the patriotic thing to do’; Netanyahu: ‘We’ve put the grudges of the past behind us’

In a joint press statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and New Hope leader Gideon Sa’ar announce Sa’ar’s re-entry into the government.

Netanyahu thanks Sa’ar for responding positively to his offer to return to the governing coalition, praising him for his “broad vision and his ability to offer creative solutions to complicated problems.”

“It is no secret that we have had disagreements in the past,” says Netanyahu of Sa’ar, “but since October 7 we have put all the grudges of the past behind us.”

For his part, Sa’ar says that his decision to re-enter the government, despite withdrawing his party from the emergency coalition back in March comes amid “difficult and challenging days.”

“It is important to strengthen Israel, its government, and its unity and cohesion,” he says. “Therefore I acceded to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s request to join the government and contribute to its work in decision-making forums with my experience and abilities. This is the patriotic and right thing to do now.”

Sa’ar makes clear that he is joining the coalition as a minister without portfolio. He said last week he was offered the post of defense minister but turned it down. Netanyahu is widely believed to be determined to fire Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in the near future — and replace him either with Sa’ar or another current minister.

Sa’ar heads a four-strong party, and thus his New Hope’s entry into the coalition raises it to 68 of the 120 Knesset members, solidifying Netanyahu’s governing majority.