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Israeli Knesset approves gov't reshuffle |
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08:07, July 05, 2007 |
The Israeli Knesset (parliament) approved Wednesday evening a government reshuffle, local media reported.
The approval makes former justice minister Haim Ramon, who resigned in August 2006 due to charges of sexual harassment, vice premier. It also marks Ramon's return to political life.
Earlier on the day, the ministerial reshuffle, proposed by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, was unanimously ratified by the cabinet, local Ha'aretz daily reported.
During Wednesday's cabinet meeting, Ramon was appointed vice premier and minister to the prime minister's office in charge of state policy. He will also become a member of the security cabinet.
Construction and Housing Minister Meir Sheetrit was appointed interior minister in place of Roni Bar-On, who was shifted to the post of finance minister.
Immigrant Absorption Minister Ze'ev Boim was appointed construction and housing minister in place of Sheetrit.
Ya'akov Edrey, previously a minister without a portfolio, was appointed both immigrant absorption minister and head of the Negevand Galilee Development Ministry, a portfolio previously held by president elect Shimon Peres.
Knesset Member Ruhama Avraham was appointed Knesset liaison minister.
Ha'aretz said that Olmert had planned to announce the reshuffle Tuesday, but had to postpone it after Ramon rejected Olmert's initial offer, terming it so inappropriate that he would rather quit politics altogether. But he accepted the appointment a day later.
Ramon was found guilty of sexual harassment by court in January2007 and sentenced to community service punishment.
On Sunday, Olmert announced that former Finance Minister Abraham Hirchson had submitted his letter of resignation over the weekend.
Hirchson, a close ally of Olmert, is under suspicion of involvement in the embezzlement of funds from a nonprofit organization and having received a cash bribe.
Source: Xinhua
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