For foreign pundits not intimately familiar with the composition of the new Netanyahu government, one might think at first that Israel’s cabinet is comprised of left-center politicians. But despite the hard-nosed reputation of the leader of the Jewish State, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu led his cabinet Wednesday in approving the formation of a new ministerial committee Wednesday to deal with issues affecting Israel’s Arab sector.
The ministerial committee, proposed by Senior Citizen Affairs Minister Gila Gamliel, is to be chaired, in fact, by Netanyahu. Gamliel will serve as vice chairperson.
Gamliel, who called the cabinet’s vote of approval “welcome news,” said the formation of the new committee was a “genuine mission.” She added that she believes it “will have a direct influence on reducing gaps, and on equality in the State of Israel.”
Future plans include “in depth discussions with sector representatives” to evaluate what moves the government should take to “reduce the gaps that currently exist in Arab society.”
Gamliel added that she will schedule meetings with Israeli Arab Mks “so we might cooperate in advancing our common goal.”