Netanyahu said to offer Erdan ministries, ending standoff

Likud No. 2 Gilad Erdan will become a government minister as early as this week after ending a public battle with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the question of what cabinet position he will fill.

Erdan will take over the Public Security Ministry and resume his old position as communications minister. In addition, he will head the Strategic Affairs Ministry — likely giving him a seat in the more exclusive security cabinet, according to Hebrew media reports.

A high-profile tiff between Netanyahu and the Likud no. 2 ultimately saw Erdan end up outside the cabinet and his requested ministerial positions scattered among other Likud faction members.

The Public Security Ministry had been temporarily assigned to Likud’s Yariv Levin and the Ministry of Strategic Affairs was given to Ze’ev Elkin, also of Likud, while Netanyahu acted as temporary communications minister.

In what was widely seen as a political stunt, Netanyahu also booted the Communication Ministry’s director-general, Avi Berger, who was appointed to the post by Erdan in October 2013 to lead a series of media reforms.

The big loser of Erdan’s turnaround, however, will be longtime Likud loyalist Benny Begin, son of former prime minister Menachem Begin, who may be forced to resign as minister without portfolio after only 10 days on the job, Channel 2 reported, possibly in order to keep the number of ministers at its current number.

After the ministers were sworn in without Erden, on May 14, a Likud party statement last Wednesday noted that negotiations were underway to break the gridlock and secure Erdan a government position.

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu turned to MK Erdan, and is holding talks with the goal of adding him to the cabinet as soon as possible,” the statement read.

“The prime minister views Erdan as a senior partner and leading minister who must be [included] in the cabinet for his talents, accomplishments, and leadership,” it continued.