- Title: ISRAEL: New Israeli cabinet set to be sworn in
- Date: 4th May 2006
- Summary: (BN08) JERUSALEM (FILE) (REUTERS) PERETZ HOLDING NEWS CONFERENCE WITH INCOMING ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER EHUD OLMERT (3 SHOTS)
- Embargoed: 19th May 2006 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Israel
- Country: Israel
- Topics: Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA2398FLIOYG53DHC4AZYEL395S
- Story Text: Israel's new government was set to be sworn in on Thursday (May 4) with a plan to set the Jewish state's permanent borders with or without Palestinian agreement.
Incoming Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, whose centrist Kadima party won election in March, will lead a coalition with the centre-left Labour Party, the pensioners' party and the ultra-Orthodox Shas, securing 67 of 120 parliamentary seats.
The coalition deals, reached in negotiations over several weeks, assured the parliamentary vote later in the day to be justa formality.
Olmert has pledged to set Israel's borders by 2010. He says he will evacuate isolated West Bank settlements while boosting large blocs in the absence of a deal with the Palestinians, whose government is now run by the Islamic militant group Hamas.
Olmert, who succeeded Ariel Sharon in January after the former prime minister suffered a stroke that left him in a coma, will face challenges from nationalist and rightist parties keen to scuttle his plans to pull out some West Bank settlers.
Key ministers in Olmert's government include Tzipi Livni, a Kadima member who stays on as foreign minister and will be vice prime minister.
Once involved with Israel's foreign intelligence agency Mossad, she has been tipped as a future prime minister and will be an important figure pushing for international acceptance of Olmert's plans.
Passionate socialist and Labour Party leader Amir Peretz will be defence minister. He has little experience in government or military affairs, leading some Israelis to question how he would handle a security crisis.
Veteran Israeli statesman Shimon Peres will be vice premier and will also hold the position of Minister of the Negev and Galilee development.
Finance Minister will be Avraham Hirchson and Justice Minister will be Haim Ramon -- both of the Kadima Party. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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