By a narrow 61-59 margin, the Knesset on Wednesday gave final approval to the bill to expand the cabinet to 20 ministers, paving the way for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to be sworn-in on Thursday, barring any last-minute developments. The new law also permits the appointment of ministers without portfolios. It was approved after three stormy days of debate in the Knesset, during which opposition parties engaged in a feisty effort to thwart its passage. After the law was passed on Wednesday afternoon, Netanyahu began the tough task of determining how to distribute ministerial portfolios among Likud MKs. He must complete the process before the swearing-in of the new government, which was set to take place on Thursday evening. One challenge facing Netanyahu is finding a portfolio for current Interior Minister Gilad Erdan. On Wednesday, Erdan threatened to not join the cabinet and instead serve just as a normal MK if his demand for the foreign affairs portfolio was not met. Erdan was not satisfied with Netanyahu's offer of the public security and strategic affairs portfolios. Netanyahu intends to keep the foreign affairs portfolio for himself. Erdan met with Netanyahu on Wednesday and was to meet with him again on Thursday. Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz will retain his position, Netanyahu determined Wednesday, and also receive the intelligence affairs portfolio. Moreover, Katz will become a member of the Diplomatic-Security Cabinet. After the government is approved, Netanyahu and the members of his new cabinet will be sworn in. Later on, the prime minister and his cabinet will go to the President's Residence to take the traditional new government photograph with President Reuven Rivlin.
On Thursday morning, it was announced that Yuval Steinitz would receive the energy and water portfolio. He will also join the Diplomatic-Security Cabinet.
At 7 p.m. Israel time on Thursday, Netanyahu was to present his cabinet to the Knesset and detail the coalition's policy guidelines. Afterward, the Knesset will vote on approving the establishment of the new government. The government is expected to be approved by a 61-59 margin.
