Solve Israel's Problems » Please Share Our ArticlesShaked: Security Cabinet reform could save lives

Shaked: Security Cabinet reform could save lives

May 30, 2016

Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked (Jewish Home) welcomed Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s decision to keep the coalition intact, she stated in an Arutz Sheva interview Monday, following a last-minute compromise brokered by Health Minister Yaakov Litzman (United Torah Judaism) to pave the way for changes in the Security Cabinet.

“It was ultimately the Prime Minister’s decision” whether Jewish Home would leave the coalition, Shaked began.

“Our request was very difficult, [although] logical and legitimate, and ultimately the Prime Minister had to decide if he wanted to reform the Security Cabinet or to form a government with the Left,” Shaked reflected. “I am glad that the Prime Minister chose to keep a stable right-wing government and perhaps even make it better if the Cabinet really improves.”

Jewish Home chairman Naftali Bennett had threatened to bolt the coalition over his demand to have military secretaries appointed to every minister on the Security Cabinet, following a report indicating mishandling of the Cabinet in times of war.

According to Litzman’s proposal, the head of the National Security Council (NSC) or his deputy would be responsible for reporting to ministers until a committee that Netanyahu has announced as a means of placating Bennett finishes its research, and proposes ways to improve the briefing of Cabinet ministers in three weeks’ time.

Had Litzman not proposed the compromise, and if Jewish Home were to have left the government, Netanyahu would have been left without a coalition unless he once again approached Zionist Union leader Yitzhak Herzog.

Shaked noted, after the ordeal was over, that the Security Cabinet request was justified; decision-making really had become difficult without an intermediary to report on military affairs.

“I do not want to expand on this because I am a [Cabinet] member, but certainly there are other things we need to do [to make it easier],” she said. “I sincerely hope that as a result of this crisis, things can be changed so that human lives will be saved and the citizens of Israel certainly will benefit from it.”

Shaked expressed some regret that the matter was resolved through a very public falling-out between Netanyahu and Bennett, but noted optimism now that the reform had been set in place.

“This government is excellent and stable and homogeneous,” she concluded. “If it worked well with 61 MKs, there is no reason it cannot succeed with 66.”

After the compromise was reached, the cabinet on Monday approved the new coalition deal with Yisrael Beytenu, which is now expected to pass a Knesset vote later today.

Protect and Support Israel by Sharing our Articles