News and Updates

Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu met with MK Yuval Steinitz at the Knesset Monday night and appointed him finance minister in his new government.

However, officials at Netanyahu's office stressed that Steinitz would be working under the PM-designate's direct supervision, and that Netanyahu will be in charge of Israel's economic strategy and the person heading its socioeconomic cabinet. "I consider this appointment a huge vote of confidence," Steinitz said upon leaving the meeting. "One of the greatest tasks we're faced with is to deal with the financial crisis and this we will do." Steinitz' appointment narrows down ever further Silvan Shalom's prospects of becoming a senior minister in Netanyahu's government. Netanyahu is scheduled to meet Shalom on Tuesday in a bid to try and resolve the differences between the two. Netanyahu's office has issued a statement late Monday night saying that both Steinitz and Shalom are expected to receive senior ministerial appointments. The PM-designate held a series of meetings with the Likud members throughout Monday evening and night. The attempt to satisfy the demands of his party's senior members yielded a government of 30 ministers - the largest in the history of Israel.

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