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Fourth Netanyahu Cabinet
34th cabinet of Israel
Incumbent
Date formed	14 May 2015 (2015-05-14)
People and organisations
Head of state	Reuven Rivlin
Head of government	Benjamin Netanyahu
No. of ministers	21
Member parties	Likud The Jewish Home Kulanu Shas United Torah Judaism
Status in legislature	Coalition government
Opposition party	Zionist Union
Opposition leader	Isaac Herzog
History
Election(s)	2015 Knesset election
Legislature term(s)	20th Knesset
Predecessor	33rd Cabinet
Successor	35th Cabinet

Israel
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v t e

The thirty-fourth government of Israel, also known as the Fourth Netanyahu Government, ^[1] is the current government of Israel, headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It was formed after the March 2015 Knesset elections. The coalition that makes up the government, consisting of the parties Likud, United Torah Judaism, Shas, Kulanu and the Jewish Home, was submitted to the President of Israel just before the deadline on 6 May 2015. The government ministers were introduced, approved by the Knesset and sworn in on 14 May. The government deputy ministers were sworn in on 19 May.

Between them, the parties hold 61 of the 120 seats in the Knesset. The elections that led to the formation of the government were a result of events on 2 December 2014, when Netanyahu dismissed two of his ministers whose parties' members subsequently resigned from the 33rd government of Israel, dissolving the government ahead of schedule.

During the 34th government, several corruption cases arose in regards to Netanyahu. Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked stated that even if indicted, Netanyahu will still be able to continue as Prime Minister.^[2] On December 26, 2018, Knesset members officially passed a law dispersing the Knesset.^[3] Until the next Israeli government is formed following elections on April 9, 2019, the government is without the power to pass laws unless they acquired opposition support.^[3]

Policy guidelines

The policy guidelines for the 34th government include but are not limited to:^[4]

• Strengthening the rule of law


• Reducing the cost of living


• Increasing competition, especially in the financial sector, and granting easier access to credit for small and medium businesses


• Integrating disabled persons into society, in providing education and employment aid


• Advancing the peace process with the Palestinians and other neighbors while keeping Israel's national interests

Coalition agreements

President Reuven Rivlin (right) assigned the task of forming the new government to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) in an official ceremony held on 25 March 2015.

Terms of coalition agreements are considered binding law in Israel.^[5] As such, parties must adhere to the agreements made with the Prime Minister when the coalition was formed.

Changes to the responsibilities of official positions include the relinquishment of the Justice Minister's ability to appoint judges to religious courts. Also, the Religious Affairs Minister will not have control over affairs connected to conversion to Judaism; that will be under the purview of the Prime Minister's office.

Kulanu

Kulanu agreed to support the implementation of the Norwegian Law, allowing members of the Knesset to exit the Knesset upon receiving a post in the cabinet.^[6]

Likud agreed to raise the salary of soldiers, give unemployment insurance to self-employed workers and set a biennial budget by October 2015.^[7]

Kulanu is also permitted to vote against the coalition if it disagrees with legislation that would reform the Israeli Supreme Court.

The Jewish Home

The agreement includes an increase of NIS 630 million ($163.4 million) for the education budget, an allocation of NIS 1 billion ($259 million) to raise soldiers' pay during their third year of service, a budget increase for Ariel University, which is in the West Bank, and support for the so-called NGO bill.^[8]

The agreement also stipulates that all obligations and commitments made to increase Haredi institutions will have to come from the Finance Ministry and not the Education Ministry.

Future changes

Members of the Likud party anticipate possible additions to the coalition, including Likud member Gilad Erdan, who did not accept the ministerial position that was offered to him by Netanyahu, and Avigdor Lieberman, whose Yisrael Beitenu party decided not to join the coalition. Additionally, Likud member Tzahi Hanegbi, who had to settle for a Knesset committee chairmanship, is expected to gain a ministerial position after one year, when he switches places with Ofir Akunis.^[9]

Cabinet members

The ministers of the thirty-fourth government of Israel, and president Reuven Rivlin

Deri resigned his post as Minister of the Economy reportedly over an unpopular gas monopoly deal. Netanyahu took over the portfolio and promised to speed up the deal.^[12] Netanyahu resigned his post as Minister of Communications following an investigation into his relationship with the media, and was replaced temporarily by Tzachi Hanegbi.^[13] The Ministry for Senior Citizens was renamed Ministry for Social Equality in August, 2015.

Deputy ministers

Security cabinet

See also Security Cabinet of Israel.

Committee chairs

Government agencies and special committees

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Thirty-fourth government of Israel.

• 
  Thirty-fourth government of Israel at the Knesset website


• 
  Thirty-fourth government of Israel at the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs website