Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed Gideon Saar, a former rival, to his Cabinet in a move aimed at expanding his coalition and solidifying his position in office. Saar, 57, will serve as a minister without portfolio and will be a member of the Security Cabinet, which oversees Israel's ongoing military operations in the Middle East.
Saar, a veteran politician, had previously hoped to replace Defense Minister Yoav Gallant but the appointment fell through due to heightened tensions with Hezbollah along Israel's northern border. Despite past differences with Netanyahu, Saar shares a hard-line stance on Israel's security and has called for decisive action against Hamas and Iran.
In a joint statement, Netanyahu and Saar emphasized their commitment to putting aside personal disagreements for the greater good of the nation. The decision to include Saar in the Cabinet is seen as a strategic move by Netanyahu to strengthen his position ahead of key political battles, including issues such as military conscription, budget approval, and his ongoing corruption trial.
The appointment of Saar is also expected to reduce the influence of ultranationalist members within the coalition, who have threatened to destabilize the government over potential concessions in peace negotiations. Saar, who aspires to become prime minister in the future, sees this opportunity as a chance to revitalize his political career while bolstering Netanyahu's majority in parliament.
