Religious Zionist chairman Bezalel Smotritz is inclined to choose the security portfolio in the next government. This was published today (Thursday) on the B network.
Last week, Smotrich met with reserve champions as well as other security personnel, and consulted with them about his possible term in the Ministry of Defense.
Yesterday, the religious Zionist chairman told Netanyahu at their meeting that he is still debating between the finance and security portfolios – but he is inclined to choose the security portfolio.
According to sources familiar with the meeting, Netanyahu expressed no objection to Smotrich’s entry into the Ministry of Defense.
The Chairman of Religious Zionism will deliver his final decision to Netanyahu, regardless of whether Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri will choose the Treasury portfolio or not. Among Smotrich’s considerations for choosing the defense portfolio: the issue of the treatment of Area C and the Palestinian takeover of parts of them through illegal construction, and also the change of attitude from the Ministry of Defense in relation to Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria that are not regulated.
In the meantime, President Yitzhak Herzog will continue today to meet with the representatives of the various factions and to hear which candidate they recommend to form the government.
The president will meet representatives of Torah Judaism, religious Zionism, Israel Beytinu, Otzma Yehudit, Hadash Ta’al and Ra’am.
Yesterday, the president heard the Likud and Shas representatives, who recommended Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu, Yesh Atid representatives who recommended their party chairman, Yair Lapid, and representatives of the state camp, who chose not to recommend a candidate.
Tomorrow they are also expected to arrive with labor representatives and Noam.