Netanyahu to appoint FM Sa'ar as interior minister, Likud confirms
Likud MK Ofir Katz was initially offered the role but declined the offer in order to focus on coordinating the Netanyahu-led bloc's "efforts in the Knesset," Likud's statement read.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to appoint Foreign Minister Gideon Sa ar as the new interior minister, the ruling Likud party has confirmed. Sa ar will retain his position as Foreign Minister alongside his new role. He previously served as interior minister from 2013 to 2014. Likud stated that Katz, the coalition whip, had declined the position to focus on coordinating Netanyahu's bloc's efforts in the Knesset.
The interior ministry position became vacant after Moshe Arbel, a former Shas MK, resigned in July 2025. This move comes as Eisenkot's bloc aims to speed up the process of forming a government, with talks reportedly underway between opposition figures, led mainly by Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman, and haredi parties, particularly United Torah Judaism (UTJ).
Netanyahu is reportedly trying to obstruct these negotiations, which could provide Eisenkot with the required parliamentary support or abstention to form a government. It is unclear how long Sa ar will hold the Interior Ministry portfolio if his appointment is confirmed, as Eisenkot's bloc pushes forward to form a new government.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
