Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has decided to appoint MK Yisrael Eichler of United Torah Judaism as Minister of Housing and Construction, replacing MK Yitzchok Goldknopf, who resigned from the post several weeks ago.
Goldknopf stepped down amid frustration over the stalled progress on the proposed draft law—a key issue that has caused ongoing tensions between the chareidi parties and Likud.
According to the coalition agreements, the appointment is temporary: should Goldknopf choose to return to the cabinet, the Housing Ministry portfolio will revert to him.
The Knesset is expected to vote on Eichler’s appointment next week. Political observers note that the votes of Goldknopf and fellow Agudas Yisroel MK Yaakov Tesler will be closely watched, as internal tensions within the faction over ministerial roles continue to simmer.
The Prime Minister’s Office released a statement explaining that under the coalition agreement, the Housing Ministry was designated for United Torah Judaism and, within the party, allocated to the Agudas Yisroel faction.
Following Goldknopf’s resignation, several Agudas Yisroel MKs appealed to the prime minister to appoint Eichler to the role. However, due to the sensitive security situation at the time, Netanyahu temporarily assigned the position to Minister Chaim Katz as acting minister.
Now, with the situation more stable, Netanyahu has announced that he will fulfill the coalition agreement by officially appointing Eichler. The appointment will take effect on Monday, following the Knesset vote.
The Prime Minister thanked Goldknopf for his service in the ministry and emphasized that he is welcome to return to the post at any time. Should Goldknopf resume his ministerial role, Eichler will step down and return to his current position as chairman of the Knesset Labor and Welfare Committee.
{Matzav.com Israel}