July 3, 2026 Categories: Government / News Briefs / The Knesset / On Campus / Education / Israel Elections 5775
Update: Bayit Yehudi Finally Has the Education Ministry - and Turns it Down
UPDATE: In a very unexpected move, the Bayit Yehudi party has turned down the Ministry of Education portfolio, as well as the Welfare ministry. The party said it was inappropriate to take over these ministerial position for such a short period of time.
Jewish Home chairman Naftali Bennett is slated to take over the Education Ministry, and another party official will take over the Welfare Ministry, Yediot Acharonot reported Thursday. Bayit Yehudi, or its predecessor, the Mafdal party, hasn't held the Education Minister's portfolio since 1999, when Meretz took it over. Historically, the Ministry of Education has always been considered the flagship ministry for the religious-Zionist party. After 15 years in the desert, even 3 short months of water looks good. Both Education and Welfare ministries were held by Yesh Atid Knesset Members, who quit after Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu fired their party’s leader Yair Lapid and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, prompting new elections. Bennett, who is Minister of Economy, has not officially responded to Netanyahu’s offer, which also includes giving the Jewish Home party the Welfare ministry. It probably will beheaded by either MK Uri Orbach or Housing Minister Uri Ariel. Yesterday, Tzachi Hanegbi (Likud) received the Ministry of Health. Tzipi Hotovely (Likud) has been approved to receive the position of Deputy Minister of Science and Information. Hotovely is already the Deputy Minister of Transportation and Road Safety. Ofir Akunis received responsibility for Environmental Quality as a deputy minister. Netanyahu appointed the lawyer Ofir Nimrod to oversea the Ministry of Finance.
Jewish Home chairman Naftali Bennett is slated to take over the Education Ministry, and another party official will take over the Welfare Ministry, Yediot Acharonot reported Thursday. Bayit Yehudi, or its predecessor, the Mafdal party, hasn't held the Education Minister's portfolio since 1999, when Meretz took it over. Historically, the Ministry of Education has always been considered the flagship ministry for the religious-Zionist party. After 15 years in the desert, even 3 short months of water looks good. Both Education and Welfare ministries were held by Yesh Atid Knesset Members, who quit after Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu fired their party’s leader Yair Lapid and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, prompting new elections. Bennett, who is Minister of Economy, has not officially responded to Netanyahu’s offer, which also includes giving the Jewish Home party the Welfare ministry. It probably will beheaded by either MK Uri Orbach or Housing Minister Uri Ariel. Yesterday, Tzachi Hanegbi (Likud) received the Ministry of Health. Tzipi Hotovely (Likud) has been approved to receive the position of Deputy Minister of Science and Information. Hotovely is already the Deputy Minister of Transportation and Road Safety. Ofir Akunis received responsibility for Environmental Quality as a deputy minister. Netanyahu appointed the lawyer Ofir Nimrod to oversea the Ministry of Finance.
