Netanyahu Gives Little Away in Cabinet Reshuffle

The long-awaited Cabinet reshuffle materialized only partially on Sunday, as changes were announced at the Economy, Housing and Environmental Ministries, while Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu came away with the Foreign Affairs, Communications and Regional Cooperation portfolios still in his hands, Ynet reported.

Zeev Elkin (Likud) was appointed Environmental Protection Minister, a post he will hold in addition to that of Yerushalayim Affairs and Heritage Minister.

Netanyahu himself will let go of the Economy Ministry. A downsized ministry will go to Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon (Kulanu). The work and work and employment division of the Economy Ministry will be transferred to Welfare Minister Haim Katz (Likud). Katz will also take charge of matters relating to Holocaust survivors.

MK Yaron Mazuz will be moved from his position as deputy minister in the prime minister’s office to Deputy Environmental Protection Minister.

There was no word as of yet as to the future of the ministries Netanyahu continues to head, which he has been under pressure to hand over to senior Likud members.