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Israel names Security Cabinet members

The small body of high-ranking ministers is responsible for creating and implementing defense-related policies.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Security Cabinet members get a tour with the North Front Command in the Golan Heights on Feb. 6, 2018. Credit: Kobi Gideon/GPO.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Security Cabinet members get a tour with the North Front Command in the Golan Heights on Feb. 6, 2018. Credit: Kobi Gideon/GPO.

Israel’s Cabinet during its Tuesday meeting named individuals to the Security cabinet, a smaller body of high-ranking ministers responsible for creating defense-related policies and making the most sensitive real-time decisions.

The Security Cabinet will be chaired by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and comprise Defense Minister Yoav Galant, Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Transportation Minister Miri Regev, Energy Minister Yisrael Katz, Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Avi Dichter and Interior and Health Minister Aryeh Deri.

Topping the agenda for the Security Cabinet will be formulating a policy with regard to Iran’s nuclear program.

Earlier on Tuesday, Netanyahu vowed to thwart Tehran’s atomic ambitions, saying during the Cabinet meeting that his new government was united in achieving that aim.

“We will work openly, from a position of strength, in the international arena against a return to the [2015] nuclear agreement, not only in talks with leaders behind closed doors but strongly and openly in the sphere of global opinion, which is now aware of the true dangers posed by Iran—the Iranian regime that is killing innocent citizens in and beyond Iran,” said Netanyahu.

“We will do everything to prevent the return to this bad agreement, which is leading to a nuclear Iran under international auspices. We will also take vigorous action to prevent the Iranian military entrenchment in Syria and elsewhere and we will not wait,” he added.

“Upholding the integrity of our elections, and the right of American citizens to determine the outcome, is non-negotiable,” stated David Metcalf, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. “Our democracy depends on it.”
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