Minority Affairs Minister of Israel
Encyclopedia
The Minister of Minorities is a member of the Israeli cabinet
. The post was resurrected in 1999, as a ministerial responsibility under a Minister without portfolio
, after having previously existed as an independent office in the provisional government
between 1948 and 1949 (as the Minister of Minority Affairs). The post is currently held by Shalom Simhon
.
institutions. The ministerial post was held by Bechor-Shalom Sheetrit
, an Arabic speaker who was popular with the country's Arab population. Sheetrit attempted to promote integration and equality, but was hamstrung by the Military Government, which controlled most Arab areas after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War
, as well as Prime Minister
David Ben-Gurion
, who vetoed Sheetrit's proposal for an Arab advisory council in the ministry.
Following disagreements with the Ministry of Religions and the Military government (which controlled most Arab areas after the war had ended), the Ministry of Minority Affairs was closed in 1949. Following its closure, Arab-related matters were handled by an advisor on Arab affairs in the Prime Minister's Office.
On 18 June 1996 Moshe Katsav
, then deputy Prime Minister, was also appointed as "Minister for Israeli Arab Affairs". During the 27th government
, Matan Vilnai
served as Chairman of the Ministerial Committtee for Arab-Israeli affairs. In the 29th government
, Salah Tarif
, a Druze
, served as a Minister in the Prime Minister's Office
with the responsibility on Minorities Affairs. In the current government
Avishay Braverman, a Minister without Portfolio, was also responsible for Minorities Affairs until 17 January 2011 when he resigned. A day later Matan Vilnai
was announced as the new minister, but was replaced on 19 January by Shalom Simhon
after complaints that minorities did not want to be under the Defense Ministry.
Cabinet of Israel
The Cabinet of Israel is a formal body composed of government officials called ministers, chosen and led by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister must appoint members based on the distribution of votes to political parties during legislative elections, and its composition must be approved by a...
. The post was resurrected in 1999, as a ministerial responsibility under a Minister without portfolio
Minister without Portfolio
A minister without portfolio is either a government minister with no specific responsibilities or a minister that does not head a particular ministry...
, after having previously existed as an independent office in the provisional government
Provisional government of Israel
The provisional government of Israel was the temporary cabinet which governed Israel from shortly before independence until the formation of the first government in March 1949 following the first Knesset elections in January that year....
between 1948 and 1949 (as the Minister of Minority Affairs). The post is currently held by Shalom Simhon
Shalom Simhon
Shalom Simhon is an Israeli politician and member of the Knesset for Independence. He currently serves as the Minister of Industry, Trade and Labour and Minister of Minorities in the Israeli cabinet.-Biography:...
.
History
The Ministry of Minority Affairs was founded after independence, and was the only new ministry not based on YishuvYishuv
The Yishuv or Ha-Yishuv is the term referring to the body of Jewish residents in Palestine before the establishment of the State of Israel...
institutions. The ministerial post was held by Bechor-Shalom Sheetrit
Bechor-Shalom Sheetrit
Bechor-Shalom Sheetrit was an Israeli politician, minister and the only signatory of the Israeli declaration of independence to have been born in the country...
, an Arabic speaker who was popular with the country's Arab population. Sheetrit attempted to promote integration and equality, but was hamstrung by the Military Government, which controlled most Arab areas after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War
1948 Arab-Israeli War
The 1948 Arab–Israeli War, known to Israelis as the War of Independence or War of Liberation The war commenced after the termination of the British Mandate for Palestine and the creation of an independent Israel at midnight on 14 May 1948 when, following a period of civil war, Arab armies invaded...
, as well as Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Israel
The Prime Minister of Israel is the head of the Israeli government and the most powerful political figure in Israel . The prime minister is the country's chief executive. The official residence of the prime minister, Beit Rosh Hamemshala is in Jerusalem...
David Ben-Gurion
David Ben-Gurion
' was the first Prime Minister of Israel.Ben-Gurion's passion for Zionism, which began early in life, led him to become a major Zionist leader and Executive Head of the World Zionist Organization in 1946...
, who vetoed Sheetrit's proposal for an Arab advisory council in the ministry.
Following disagreements with the Ministry of Religions and the Military government (which controlled most Arab areas after the war had ended), the Ministry of Minority Affairs was closed in 1949. Following its closure, Arab-related matters were handled by an advisor on Arab affairs in the Prime Minister's Office.
On 18 June 1996 Moshe Katsav
Moshe Katsav
Moshe Katsav is an Israeli politician. He served as the eighth President of Israel, a leading Likud member of the Israeli Knesset, and a Cabinet Minister in its government....
, then deputy Prime Minister, was also appointed as "Minister for Israeli Arab Affairs". During the 27th government
Twenty-seventh government of Israel
The twenty-seventh government of Israel was formed by Binyamin Netanyahu of Likud on 18 June 1996. Although his Likud-Gesher-Tzomet alliance won fewer seats that the Labor Party, Netanyahu formed the government after winning the country's first ever direct election for Prime Minister, narrowly...
, Matan Vilnai
Matan Vilnai
Matan Vilnai is an Israeli politician and a former Major General in the Israel Defense Forces . He is currently Minister for Home Front Defense and a member of the Knesset for Independence.-Biography:...
served as Chairman of the Ministerial Committtee for Arab-Israeli affairs. In the 29th government
Twenty-ninth government of Israel
The twenty-ninth government of Israel was formed by Ariel Sharon on 7 March 2001, following his victory over Ehud Barak in the special election for Prime Minister in February...
, Salah Tarif
Salah Tarif
Salah Tarif is a Druze Israeli politician who served as a member of the Knesset between 1992 and 2006. When appointed Minister without Portfolio by Ariel Sharon in 2001, he became Israel's first non-Jewish government minister.-Biography:...
, a Druze
Druze
The Druze are an esoteric, monotheistic religious community, found primarily in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan, which emerged during the 11th century from Ismailism. The Druze have an eclectic set of beliefs that incorporate several elements from Abrahamic religions, Gnosticism, Neoplatonism...
, served as a Minister in the Prime Minister's Office
Minister in the Prime Minister's Office
A Minister in the Prime Minister's Office is a minister and member of the cabinet appointed by the Prime Minister of Israel for the purpose of being involved in various matters on behalf of the Prime Minister.-List of current and former ministrations:...
with the responsibility on Minorities Affairs. In the current government
Cabinet of Israel
The Cabinet of Israel is a formal body composed of government officials called ministers, chosen and led by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister must appoint members based on the distribution of votes to political parties during legislative elections, and its composition must be approved by a...
Avishay Braverman, a Minister without Portfolio, was also responsible for Minorities Affairs until 17 January 2011 when he resigned. A day later Matan Vilnai
Matan Vilnai
Matan Vilnai is an Israeli politician and a former Major General in the Israel Defense Forces . He is currently Minister for Home Front Defense and a member of the Knesset for Independence.-Biography:...
was announced as the new minister, but was replaced on 19 January by Shalom Simhon
Shalom Simhon
Shalom Simhon is an Israeli politician and member of the Knesset for Independence. He currently serves as the Minister of Industry, Trade and Labour and Minister of Minorities in the Israeli cabinet.-Biography:...
after complaints that minorities did not want to be under the Defense Ministry.
List of Ministers
| Minister | Party | Governments | Dates in office | Jon title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 April 1948 - 8 March 1949 | Minister for Minority Affairs | |||
| Moshe Katsav Moshe Katsav Moshe Katsav is an Israeli politician. He served as the eighth President of Israel, a leading Likud member of the Israeli Knesset, and a Cabinet Minister in its government.... |
Likud Likud Likud is the major center-right political party in Israel. It was founded in 1973 by Menachem Begin in an alliance with several right-wing and liberal parties. Likud's victory in the 1977 elections was a major turning point in the country's political history, marking the first time the left had... |
28 Twenty-seventh government of Israel The twenty-seventh government of Israel was formed by Binyamin Netanyahu of Likud on 18 June 1996. Although his Likud-Gesher-Tzomet alliance won fewer seats that the Labor Party, Netanyahu formed the government after winning the country's first ever direct election for Prime Minister, narrowly... |
18 June 1996 - 6 July 1999 | Minister for Israeli Arab Affairs |
| Salah Tarif Salah Tarif Salah Tarif is a Druze Israeli politician who served as a member of the Knesset between 1992 and 2006. When appointed Minister without Portfolio by Ariel Sharon in 2001, he became Israel's first non-Jewish government minister.-Biography:... |
Labor Party | 29 Twenty-ninth government of Israel The twenty-ninth government of Israel was formed by Ariel Sharon on 7 March 2001, following his victory over Ehud Barak in the special election for Prime Minister in February... |
Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Minister in the Prime Minister's Office A Minister in the Prime Minister's Office is a minister and member of the cabinet appointed by the Prime Minister of Israel for the purpose of being involved in various matters on behalf of the Prime Minister.-List of current and former ministrations:... with the responsibility for Minorities Affairs |
|
| Avishay Braverman | Labor Party | 32 Cabinet of Israel The Cabinet of Israel is a formal body composed of government officials called ministers, chosen and led by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister must appoint members based on the distribution of votes to political parties during legislative elections, and its composition must be approved by a... |
31 March 2009 - 17 January 2011 | Minister of Minorities |
| Shalom Simhon Shalom Simhon Shalom Simhon is an Israeli politician and member of the Knesset for Independence. He currently serves as the Minister of Industry, Trade and Labour and Minister of Minorities in the Israeli cabinet.-Biography:... |
Independence Independence (Israeli political party) Independence is a recently-established political party in Israel. It was launched by Defense Minister Ehud Barak on 17 January 2011 after he and four other Labour Party MKs announced their secession from the caucus... |
32 Cabinet of Israel The Cabinet of Israel is a formal body composed of government officials called ministers, chosen and led by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister must appoint members based on the distribution of votes to political parties during legislative elections, and its composition must be approved by a... |
19 January 2011 - present | Minister of Minorities |