# Thirty-second government of Israel

The Thirty-second government of Israel, also known as the Second Netanyahu Government, was the largest cabinet in the country's history, in terms of the number of ministers: initially containing 30 ministers and nine deputy ministers, it later added another deputy prime minister as of May 2012 until he resigned in July 2012.

## Formation

Following the 2009 Knesset elections, the new government was formed on 31 March 2009. It consisted of a coalition of Likud, Yisrael Beiteinu, Shas, the Labor and the Jewish Home. The parties formed a center-right coalition government.

## Changes since formation

On 1 April 2009, United Torah Judaism joined as well.
In January 2011, Labor Party leader Ehud Barak formed a breakaway party, Independence, which enabled him to maintain his loyal Labor's MK faction within Netanyahu's government, and prevented the departure of Labor party as a whole from Netanyahu's coalition-government. Labor previously threatened to force Barak to do so. After Barak's move, Netanyahu was able to maintain a majority of 66 MK (out 120 in the Knesset), previously having 74 MKs within his majority coalition.
On 8 May 2012, following weeks of speculation that early elections would be called, Netanyahu announced a new National Unity Coalition after striking a deal with Kadima head Shaul Mofaz bringing the coalition majority to 94 MKs.
Kadima subsequently left the ruling coalition on 17 July due to a dispute over the Tal Law.

## Basic policy guidelines

A paper presented to the Knesset's approval alongside the Government said that the Government would:
* actively seek to fortify the national security and bestow personal security on its citizens while vigorously and determinedly fighting against violence and terror.
* advance the political process and act to promote peace with all our neighbors, while preserving the security, historic and national interests of Israel.
* advance a program to deal with the economic crisis and act to create economic conditions that will allow for sustainable growth, as well as create and maintain jobs in the economy.
* strive for social justice by reducing social gaps and uncompromisingly fight against poverty through education, employment and an increase in assistance to the weaker segments of the population.
* place the issue of immigration and immigrant absorption at the top of its list of priorities and will work vigorously to increase immigration from all countries of the world.
* place education at the center of its list of national priorities and will act to advance reforms in the education system.
* preserve the Jewish character of the State and the legacy of Israel, as well as honor the religions and traditions of members of other religions in the country in accordance with the values of the Declaration of Independence.
* act to advance governmental reforms to improve stability and governability.
* act to fortify the rule of law in Israel.
* act to protect the environment in Israel, improve the quality of life for the residents of the country and increase Israel's participation in contributing to the global effort with regard to the climate and the environment.

## Cabinet members

The cabinet had 30 members.
| Portfolio | Minister | Party |
| Prime Minister Minister of Economic Strategy Minister of Health Minister of Pensioner Affairs | Benjamin Netanyahu | Likud |
| Vice Prime Minister Minister of Development of the Negev and Galilee Minister of Regional Development | Silvan Shalom | Likud |
| Vice Prime Minister Minister of Strategic Affairs | Moshe Ya'alon | Likud |
| Vice Prime Minister Minister without Portfolio | Shaul Mofaz (09/05/2012 - 19/07/2012) | Kadima |
| Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Defense | Ehud Barak | Israeli Labor Party, from 17/01/2011: Independence |
| Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Foreign Affairs | Avigdor Lieberman till 18/12/2012 | Yisrael Beitenu |
| Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Intelligence and Atomic Energy | Dan Meridor | Likud |
| Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Internal Affairs | Eli Yishai | Shas |
| Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development | Shalom Simhon till 19/01/2011 Orit Noked from 19/01/2011 | Israeli Labor Party Independence |
| Minister of Communications | Moshe Kahlon | Likud |
| Minister of Culture and Sport | Limor Livnat | Likud |
| Minister of Education | Gideon Sa'ar | Likud |
| Minister of Energy and Water | Uzi Landau | Yisrael Beitenu |
| Minister of Environmental Protection | Gilad Erdan | Likud |
| Minister of Finance | Yuval Steinitz | Likud |
| Minister for Home Front Defense | Matan Vilnai till 15/08/2012 Avi Dichter from 16/0/2012 | Israeli Labor Party, from 17/01/2011: Independence Independent (ex-Kadima) |
| Minister of Housing and Construction | Ariel Atias | Shas |
| Minister of Immigrant Absorption | Sofa Landver | Yisrael Beitenu |
| Minister of Improvement of Government Services | Michael Eitan | Likud |
| Minister of Industry, Trade, and Labour Minister of Minorities | Binyamin Ben-Eliezer till 19/01/2011 Shalom Simhon from 19/01/2011 | Israeli Labor Party Independence |
| Minister of Information and Diaspora | Yuli-Yoel Edelstein | Likud |
| Minister of Internal Security | Yitzhak Aharonovich | Yisrael Beitenu |
| Minister of Justice | Ya'akov Ne'eman | Appointed |
| Minister of Religious Services | Ya'akov Margi | Shas |
| Minister of Science and Technology | Daniel Hershkowitz | The Jewish Home |
| Minister of Tourism | Stas Misezhnikov | Yisrael Beitenu |
| Minister of Transportation, National Infrastructure and Road Safety | Israel Katz | Likud |
| Minister of Welfare and Social Services | Isaac Herzog till 19/01/2011 Moshe Kahlon from 19/01/2011 | Israeli Labor Party Likud |
| Minister without Portfolio | Benny Begin | Likud |
| Minister without Portfolio | Meshulam Nahari | Shas |
| Minister without Portfolio | Yossi Peled till 29/09/2012 | Likud |

### Deputy Ministers

| Portfolio | Minister | Party |
| Deputy Minister of the Development of the Negev and Galilee | Ayoob Kara | Likud |
| Deputy Minister of Education | Meir Porush | United Torah Judaism |
| Deputy Minister of Finance | Yitzhak Cohen | Shas |
| Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs | Daniel Ayalon | Yisrael Beitenu |
| Deputy Minister of Health | Yaakov Litzman | United Torah Judaism |
| Deputy Minister of Pensioner Affairs | Lea Nass | Likud |
| Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Office | Gila Gamliel | Likud |
| Deputy Minister of Education | Meir Porush till 06/02/2011 Menachem Eliezer Moses from 09/02/2011 | United Torah Judaism |
| Deputy Minister of Industry, Trade, and Labor | Orit Noked till 19/01/2011 | Israeli Labor Party |