New Hope Party Leader Gideon Sa’ar Returns to Israeli Government

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that Gideon Sa’ar will rejoin the government as a minister without portfolio and a member of the Security Cabinet. This marks Sa’ar’s second return to the government during the ongoing war, following years of tension with Netanyahu.

Sa’ar, who previously served as minister of education and the interior under Netanyahu, left Likud in 2020 to form the New Hope Party. His return to the government has been facilitated by Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a close ally of Netanyahu.

Despite declining the role of defense minister last week, Sa’ar’s decision to rejoin the government reflects a desire to contribute directly to decision-making during the war with Hezbollah. The move aims to strengthen the unity of the government and minimize the influence of opposition figures.

Both Netanyahu and Sa’ar have emphasized the importance of working together during this critical time, setting aside past disagreements for the sake of national security. The return of Sa’ar to the government is seen as a strategic step towards ensuring stability and achieving victory.