Thirty-first government of Israel
Encyclopedia
The thirty-first government of Israel was formed by Ehud Olmert
on 4 May 2006, following Kadima
's vistory in the March elections. His coalition initially included the Labor Party, Shas
and Gil, and held 67 of the 120 seats in the Knesset
. The 11-seat Yisrael Beiteinu joined the coalition in November 2006, but left on 16 January 2008 in protest at peace talks with the Palestinian National Authority
. With the inclusion of the Labor Party's Raleb Majadele
as a Minister without Portfolio
on 29 January 2007, it became the first Israeli cabinet to have a Muslim minister.
The government held office until Binyamin Netanyahu formed the thirty-second government
on 31 March 2009, following the February elections
.
1 Peres left office when elected President
.
2 Barak replaced Peretz when he defeated him in the party leadership election.
3 Pines-Paz resigned from the government in protest at the inclusion of Yisrael Beiteinu.
Ehud Olmert
Ehud Olmert is an Israeli politician and lawyer. He served as Prime Minister of Israel from 2006 to 2009, as a Cabinet Minister from 1988 to 1992 and from 2003 to 2006, and as Mayor of Jerusalem from 1993 to 2003....
on 4 May 2006, following Kadima
Kadima
Kadima is a centrist and liberal political party in Israel. It was established on 24 November 2005 by moderates from Likud largely to support the issue of Ariel Sharon's unilateral disengagement plan, and was soon joined by like-minded Labor politicians...
's vistory in the March elections. His coalition initially included the Labor Party, Shas
Shas
Shas is an ultra-orthodox religious political party in Israel, primarily representing Sephardic and Mizrahi Haredi Judaism.Shas was founded in 1984 by dissident members of the Ashkenazi dominated Agudat Israel, to represent the interests of religiously observant Sephardic and Mizrahi ...
and Gil, and held 67 of the 120 seats in the Knesset
Knesset
The Knesset is the unicameral legislature of Israel, located in Givat Ram, Jerusalem.-Role in Israeli Government :The legislative branch of the Israeli government, the Knesset passes all laws, elects the President and Prime Minister , approves the cabinet, and supervises the work of the government...
. The 11-seat Yisrael Beiteinu joined the coalition in November 2006, but left on 16 January 2008 in protest at peace talks with the Palestinian National Authority
Palestinian National Authority
The Palestinian Authority is the administrative organization established to govern parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip...
. With the inclusion of the Labor Party's Raleb Majadele
Raleb Majadele
Ghaleb Majadele is an Israeli Arab politician. A member of the Knesset for the Labor Party, he became the country's first Muslim minister when appointed Minister without Portfolio on 28 January 2007.-Biography:...
as 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...
on 29 January 2007, it became the first Israeli cabinet to have a Muslim minister.
The government held office until Binyamin Netanyahu formed the thirty-second 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...
on 31 March 2009, following the February elections
Israeli legislative election, 2009
Elections for the 18th Knesset were held in Israel on 10 February 2009. These elections became necessary due to the resignation of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert as leader of the Kadima party, and the failure of his successor, Tzipi Livni, to form a coalition government...
.
Cabinet members
| Position | Person | Party |
|---|---|---|
| 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... |
Ehud Olmert Ehud Olmert Ehud Olmert is an Israeli politician and lawyer. He served as Prime Minister of Israel from 2006 to 2009, as a Cabinet Minister from 1988 to 1992 and from 2003 to 2006, and as Mayor of Jerusalem from 1993 to 2003.... |
Kadima Kadima Kadima is a centrist and liberal political party in Israel. It was established on 24 November 2005 by moderates from Likud largely to support the issue of Ariel Sharon's unilateral disengagement plan, and was soon joined by like-minded Labor politicians... |
| Vice Prime Minister | Shimon Peres Shimon Peres GCMG is the ninth President of the State of Israel. Peres served twice as the eighth Prime Minister of Israel and once as Interim Prime Minister, and has been a member of 12 cabinets in a political career spanning over 66 years... (until 13 June 2007)1 |
Kadima |
| Haim Ramon Haim Ramon Haim Ramon is an Israeli politician who served as a member of the Knesset between 1983 and 2009, and as both Vice Prime Minister and Minister in the Prime Minister's Office with responsibility for state policy.-Biography:... |
Kadima | |
| Acting Prime Minister | Tzipi Livni Tzipi Livni Tzipporah Malkah "Tzipi" Livni is an Israeli lawyer and politician. She is the current Israeli Opposition Leader and leader of Kadima, the largest party in the Knesset. Raised an ardent nationalist, Livni has become one of her nation's leading voices for the two-state solution. In Israel she has... |
Kadima |
| Deputy Prime Minister | Ehud Barak Ehud Barak Ehud Barak is an Israeli politician who served as Prime Minister from 1999 until 2001. He was leader of the Labor Party until January 2011 and holds the posts of Minister of Defense and Deputy Prime Minister in Binyamin Netanyahu's government.... (from 18 June 2007)2 |
Labor Party |
| Avigdor Lieberman (30 October 2006 - 18 January 2008) | ||
| Shaul Mofaz Shaul Mofaz Lt. General Shaul Mofaz is an Israeli politician who serves as the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs And Defense Committee at the Knesset... |
Kadima | |
| Amir Peretz Amir Peretz Amir Peretz is an Israeli politician and member of the Knesset for the Labour Party. He is a former Defense Minister of Israel and former leader of the Labour Party, having left those positions in June 2007.... (until 18 June 2007)2 |
Labor Party | |
| Eli Yishai Eli Yishai Eliyahu "Eli" Yishai is an Israeli politician and head of the Shas party. He currently serves as a member of the Knesset for Shas, and as both one of four Deputy Prime Ministers and Minister of Internal Affairs.- Political life :... |
Shas Shas Shas is an ultra-orthodox religious political party in Israel, primarily representing Sephardic and Mizrahi Haredi Judaism.Shas was founded in 1984 by dissident members of the Ashkenazi dominated Agudat Israel, to represent the interests of religiously observant Sephardic and Mizrahi ... |
|
| Minister of Agriculture Agriculture Minister of Israel The Agriculture Minister of Israel is the political head of the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture and a relatively minor position in the Israeli cabinet. Since 1992 the full title of the position has been the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development , the Development Ministry having been... |
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:... |
Labor Party |
| Minister of Communications Communications Minister of Israel The Communications Minister of Israel is the political head of the Israeli Ministry of Communications and a relatively minor position in the Israeli cabinet. The post was established in 1952, and until 1970 was known as the Minister of Postal Services... |
Ariel Atias Ariel Atias Ariel Atias is an Israeli politician who currently serves as a member of the Knesset for Shas, and as the country's Minister of Housing and Construction. He is also manager of Shas' kosher supervision organization.-Biography:... |
Shas |
| Minister of Defense | Amir Peretz Amir Peretz Amir Peretz is an Israeli politician and member of the Knesset for the Labour Party. He is a former Defense Minister of Israel and former leader of the Labour Party, having left those positions in June 2007.... (until 18 June 2007)2 |
Labor Party |
| Ehud Barak Ehud Barak Ehud Barak is an Israeli politician who served as Prime Minister from 1999 until 2001. He was leader of the Labor Party until January 2011 and holds the posts of Minister of Defense and Deputy Prime Minister in Binyamin Netanyahu's government.... (from 18 June 2007)2 |
Labor Party | |
| Minister of Development of the Negev and Galilee | Shimon Peres Shimon Peres GCMG is the ninth President of the State of Israel. Peres served twice as the eighth Prime Minister of Israel and once as Interim Prime Minister, and has been a member of 12 cabinets in a political career spanning over 66 years... (until 13 June 2007)1 |
Kadima |
| Ya'akov Edri (from 4 July 2007) | Kadima | |
| Minister of Diaspora, Society and the fight against Anti-semitism | Isaac Herzog (from 21 March 2007) | Labor Party |
| Minister of Education, Culture and Sport | Yuli Tamir Yuli Tamir Yael "Yuli" Tamir is an Israeli academic and former politician who served as a member of the Knesset for the Labor Party between 2003 and 2010, and as Minister of Immigrant Absorption and Education.-Biography:... |
Labor Party |
| Minister of the Environment Environmental Protection Minister of Israel The Environmental Protection Minister of Israel is the political head of the Israeli Ministry of Environment and a relatively minor position in the Israeli cabinet. The post was created on 22 December 1988, and until May 2006 was known as the Minister of the Environment... |
Gideon Ezra Gideon Ezra Gideon Ezra is an Israeli politician, member of the Knesset for Kadima and a former Minister of Environmental Protection.-Biography:Ezra was born in Jerusalem and served in the Israeli Defense Force between 1955 and 1958 in the Nahal... |
Kadima |
| Minister of Finance | Avraham Hirschson Avraham Hirschson Avraham Hirchson was an Israeli politician. He served as a member of the Knesset for Likud and Kadima between 1981 and 1984, and again from 1992 until 2009. He also held the posts of Minister of Communications, Minister of Finance and Minister of Tourism... (until 3 July 2007) |
Kadima |
| Roni Bar-On Roni Bar-On Roni Bar-On is an Israeli politician and lawyer. He currently serves as a member of the Knesset for Kadima and is a former Minister of Finance.-Biography:... (from 4 July 2007) |
Kadima | |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs Foreign Affairs Minister of Israel The Foreign Affairs Minister of Israel is the political head of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The position is one of the most important in the Israeli cabinet after Prime Minister and Defense Minister... |
Tzipi Livni Tzipi Livni Tzipporah Malkah "Tzipi" Livni is an Israeli lawyer and politician. She is the current Israeli Opposition Leader and leader of Kadima, the largest party in the Knesset. Raised an ardent nationalist, Livni has become one of her nation's leading voices for the two-state solution. In Israel she has... |
Kadima |
| Minister of Health Health Minister of Israel The Ministry of Health is a ministry in the Israeli government. The current Minister of Health is Binyamin Netanyahu of Likud.There is occasionally a Deputy Minister of Health... |
Ya'akov Ben-Yezri | Gil |
| Minister of Housing and Construction Housing and Construction Minister of Israel The Ministry of Housing and Construction is a portfolio in the Israeli cabinet. The ministry was created in 1961, and until 1977 it was known as the Ministry of Housing. Construction was also previously part of the Labour and Construction ministry during the provisional government between 1948 and... |
Meir Sheetrit Meir Sheetrit Meir Sheetrit is a Moroccan-born Israeli politician. He is currently a member of the Knesset for Kadima. He has served as Minister of the Interior, Minister of Housing & Construction, Minister of Finance, Minister of Justice, Minister of Transportation and Minister of Education, Culture &... (until 4 July 2007) |
Kadima |
| Ze'ev Boim Ze'ev Boim Ze'ev Boim was an Israeli politician. He was the mayor of Kiryat Gat before becoming a Knesset member for Likud and later Kadima. Boim was Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Minister of Housing and Construction and Minister of Immigrant Absorption.... (from 4 July 2007) |
Kadima | |
| Minister of Immigrant Absorption | Ze'ev Boim Ze'ev Boim Ze'ev Boim was an Israeli politician. He was the mayor of Kiryat Gat before becoming a Knesset member for Likud and later Kadima. Boim was Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Minister of Housing and Construction and Minister of Immigrant Absorption.... (until 4 July 2007) |
Kadima |
| Ya'akov Edri (4 July 2007 - 14 July 2008) | Kadima | |
| Eli Aflalo Eli Aflalo Eli Aflalo is an Israeli politician who currently serves as a member of the Knesset for Kadima. Between July 2008 and March 2009 he was the country's Minister of Immigrant Absorption.-Biography:... (from 14 July 2008) |
Kadima | |
| Minister of Industry, Trade and Labour Industry, Trade and Labour Minister of Israel The Industry, Trade and Labour Minister of Israel is the political head of the Israeli Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labour and a position in the Israeli cabinet.... |
Eli Yishai Eli Yishai Eliyahu "Eli" Yishai is an Israeli politician and head of the Shas party. He currently serves as a member of the Knesset for Shas, and as both one of four Deputy Prime Ministers and Minister of Internal Affairs.- Political life :... |
Shas |
| Minister of Internal Affairs Internal Affairs Minister of Israel The Interior Minister , also known as the Minister of Internal Affairs is head of the Israeli Ministry of Interior and an important portfolio in the cabinet. The current Interior Minister is Eli Yishai of Shas... |
Roni Bar-On Roni Bar-On Roni Bar-On is an Israeli politician and lawyer. He currently serves as a member of the Knesset for Kadima and is a former Minister of Finance.-Biography:... (until 4 July 2007) |
Kadima |
| Meir Sheetrit Meir Sheetrit Meir Sheetrit is a Moroccan-born Israeli politician. He is currently a member of the Knesset for Kadima. He has served as Minister of the Interior, Minister of Housing & Construction, Minister of Finance, Minister of Justice, Minister of Transportation and Minister of Education, Culture &... (from 4 July 2007) |
Kadima | |
| Minister of Internal Security | Avi Dichter Avi Dichter Avi Dichter is an Israeli politician who currently serves as a member of the Knesset for Kadima. He is a former Minister of Internal Security and Shin Bet director.-Biography:... |
Kadima |
| Minister of Justice Justice Minister of Israel The Justice Minister of Israel is the political head of the Israeli Ministry of Justice and a position in the Israeli cabinet. The current minister is Ya'akov Ne'eman, an independent who is not a member of the Knesset.... |
Haim Ramon Haim Ramon Haim Ramon is an Israeli politician who served as a member of the Knesset between 1983 and 2009, and as both Vice Prime Minister and Minister in the Prime Minister's Office with responsibility for state policy.-Biography:... (until 22 August 2006) |
Kadima |
| Tzipi Livni Tzipi Livni Tzipporah Malkah "Tzipi" Livni is an Israeli lawyer and politician. She is the current Israeli Opposition Leader and leader of Kadima, the largest party in the Knesset. Raised an ardent nationalist, Livni has become one of her nation's leading voices for the two-state solution. In Israel she has... (29 November 2006 - 7 February 2007) |
Kadima | |
| Daniel Friedmann Daniel Friedmann Daniel Friedmann was the Minister of Justice of Israel from 2007 to 2009. A professor of law, he was appointed by PM Ehud Olmert. He was sworn in on February 7, 2007, succeeding Tzipi Livni. In 2009 he was succeeded by Ya'akov Ne'eman.-Early life:... |
Not an MK | |
| Minister of National Infrastructure National Infrastructure Minister of Israel The National Infrastructure Minister of Israel is the political head of the Israeli Ministry of National Infrastructure. From its establishment in 1977 until 1996, the post was known as the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure . The current minister is Uzi Landau of Yisrael Beiteinu.It succeeded... |
Binyamin Ben-Eliezer Binyamin Ben-Eliezer Binyamin Fuad Ben-Eliezer , , born 12 February 1936) is an Israeli politician and former military officer of Iraqi origin. He currently serves as a member of the Knesset for the Labor Party, and has held several ministerial posts, including Minister of Industry, Trade and Labour, Minister of... |
Labor Party |
| Minister of Pensioner Affairs Pensioner Affairs Minister of Israel The Pensioner Affairs Minister of Israel is the political head of the Israeli Ministry of Pensioner Affairs and a position in the Israeli cabinet. The post was created following the coalition agreement between Kadima and Gil after the 2006 elections... |
Rafi Eitan Rafi Eitan Rafael "Rafi" Eitan is an Israeli politician and former intelligence officer. Today he leads Gil and is a former Minister of Pensioner Affairs. In the past, he was in charge of the Mossad operation that led to the capture of Adolf Eichmann... |
Gil |
| Minister of Religious Affairs | Yitzhak Cohen Yitzhak Cohen Rabbi Yitzhak Cohen is an Israeli politician who has served as a member of the Knesset for Shas since 1996, and is the current Deputy Minister of Finance.-Biography:Born in Ashkelon, Cohen served on the city's council and was its former deputy mayor.... (from 14 January 2008) |
Shas |
| Minister of Science, Culture and Sport | Ophir Pines-Paz Ophir Pines-Paz Ophir Pines-Paz is an Israeli former politician who served as Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister of Science, Culture & Sport and as a member of the Knesset for the Labor Party from 1996 until 2010.-Biography:... (until 1 November 2006)3 |
Labor Party |
| Raleb Majadele Raleb Majadele Ghaleb Majadele is an Israeli Arab politician. A member of the Knesset for the Labor Party, he became the country's first Muslim minister when appointed Minister without Portfolio on 28 January 2007.-Biography:... (from 21 March 2007) |
Labor Party | |
| Minister of Strategic Affairs Strategic Affairs Minister of Israel The Strategic Affairs Minister of Israel is the political head of the Israeli Ministry of Strategic Affairs and a member of the cabinet. The portfolio and ministry was created in 2006 for Avigdor Lieberman, whose Yisrael Beiteinu party had just joined the governing coalition... |
Avigdor Lieberman (30 October 2006 - 18 January 2008) | Yisrael Beiteinu |
| Minister of Tourism Tourism Minister of Israel The Tourism Minister of Israel is the political head of the Israeli Ministry of Tourism and a relatively minor position in the Israeli cabinet. The position is currently held by Stas Misezhnikov of Yisrael Beiteinu.... |
Isaac Herzog (until 21 March 2007) | Labor Party |
| Yisrael Beiteinu | ||
| Ruhama Avraham Ruhama Avraham Ruhama Avraham Balila is an Israeli politician. A member of the Knesset for Kadima, she has previously served as Minister of Tourism and Minister without Portfolio responsible for liaison with the Knesset.-Biography:... (from 14 July 2008) |
Kadima | |
| Minister of Transportation and Road Safety | Shaul Mofaz Shaul Mofaz Lt. General Shaul Mofaz is an Israeli politician who serves as the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs And Defense Committee at the Knesset... |
Kadima |
| Minister of Welfare and Social Services | Ehud Olmert Ehud Olmert Ehud Olmert is an Israeli politician and lawyer. He served as Prime Minister of Israel from 2006 to 2009, as a Cabinet Minister from 1988 to 1992 and from 2003 to 2006, and as Mayor of Jerusalem from 1993 to 2003.... (until 21 March 2007) |
Kadima |
| Isaac Herzog (from 21 March 2007) | Labor Party | |
| 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... |
Ruhama Avraham Ruhama Avraham Ruhama Avraham Balila is an Israeli politician. A member of the Knesset for Kadima, she has previously served as Minister of Tourism and Minister without Portfolio responsible for liaison with the Knesset.-Biography:... (4 July 2007 - 14 July 2008) |
Kadima |
| Ami Ayalon Ami Ayalon Amihai "Ami" Ayalon is an Israeli politician and a former member of the Knesset for the Labor Party. He was previously head of the Shin Bet, Israel's secret service, and commander-in-chief of the Navy... (24 September 2007 - 16 December 2008) |
Labor Party | |
| Eitan Cabel (until 4 May 2007) | Labor Party | |
| Yitzhak Cohen Yitzhak Cohen Rabbi Yitzhak Cohen is an Israeli politician who has served as a member of the Knesset for Shas since 1996, and is the current Deputy Minister of Finance.-Biography:Born in Ashkelon, Cohen served on the city's council and was its former deputy mayor.... (until 14 January 2008) |
Shas | |
| Ya'akov Edri (until 4 July 2007) | Kadima | |
| Raleb Majadele Raleb Majadele Ghaleb Majadele is an Israeli Arab politician. A member of the Knesset for the Labor Party, he became the country's first Muslim minister when appointed Minister without Portfolio on 28 January 2007.-Biography:... (29 January - 21 March 2007) |
Labor Party | |
| Meshulam Nahari Meshulam Nahari Rabbi Meshulam Nahari is an Israeli politician and member of the Knesset for the ultra-orthodox party Shas. He is a Minister without Portfolio serving in the Finance Ministry in the current government.-Background:... |
Shas | |
| Deputy Minister of Defense | Efraim Sneh Efraim Sneh Efraim Sneh is an Israeli politician, physician, and a retired Brigadier General in the Israel Defense Forces. He was a member of the Knesset for the Labor Party between 1992 and 2008 and served in several ministerial posts... (30 October 2006 - 18 June 2007) |
Labor Party |
| 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:... (from 2 July 2007) |
Labor Party | |
| Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs | Majalli Wahabi Majalli Wahabi Majalli Wahabi is an Israeli Druze politician who currently serves as a member of the Knesset for Kadima. He briefly assumed the position of President due to President Moshe Katzav's leave of absence and Acting President Dalia Itzik's trip abroad in February 2007, making him the first non-Jew to... (from 29 October 2007) |
Kadima |
1 Peres left office when elected President
Israeli presidential election, 2007
Shimon Peres, a former Prime Minister and a member of the Kadima party, was elected by the Knesset as the next President of Israel on 13 June 2007. His opponents were Reuven Rivlin, a former Knesset speaker, of the Likud Party, and Colette Avital, of the Labor party...
.
2 Barak replaced Peretz when he defeated him in the party leadership election.
3 Pines-Paz resigned from the government in protest at the inclusion of Yisrael Beiteinu.
External links
- Seventeenth Knesset: Government 31 Knesset website