The Israeli political establishment prepared for a slew of changes Wednesday night after the advanced talks with Yisrael Beytenu over joining the coalition - a move that will likely result in a cabinet shuffle. It is believed the faction, led by MK Avigdor Liberman, was not only offered the defense and immigrant absorption portfolios, but also the Ministry of Economy currently run by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu under Ze’ev Elkin, who now serves as Minister of Immigrant Absorption. RELATED ARTICLES Netanyahu offers defense ministry to Liberman Poll finds national unity talks weaken Herzog Israel's opposition split on national unity gov't Netanyahu is expected to offer MK Tzachi Hanegbi the Ministry of Strategic Affairs - currently held by Minister of Public Security Gilad Erdan thereby fulfilling the commitment he provided Hanegbi when forming the government last year. A political source believed the portfolios given the HaBayit HaYehudi faction will also be reshuffled. He claimed party chair MK Naftali Bennett may be appointed as Minister of Foreign Affairs and be replaced as Minister of Education by fellow faction member and current Minister of Justice Ayelet Shaked. Minister of Tourism Yariv Levin will take Shaked’s place at the Ministry of Justice and be appointed as a member of the Political-Security Cabinet. Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on May 19, 2016 © Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2016
