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Netanyahu Appoints MK of Moroccan Origin as Israel's Minister in Charge of Atomic Commission

Member of Knesset David Amsalem during a parliamentary session (Knesset spokesman)
Member of Knesset David Amsalem during a parliamentary session (Knesset spokesman)
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Netanyahu Appoints MK of Moroccan Origin as Israel's Minister in Charge of Atomic Commission

Member of Knesset David Amsalem during a parliamentary session (Knesset spokesman)
Member of Knesset David Amsalem during a parliamentary session (Knesset spokesman)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed as member of Knesset David Amsalem, of Moroccan origin, as the Minister in Charge of the Atomic Energy Commission.

The Atomic Energy Commission was established in 1952 and is under the Prime Minister's and his office's authority. It was considered another committee of government work.

However, it became more critical when Israel began building the nuclear reactor in Dimona under the then-director general of the Defense Ministry, Shimon Peres.

The committee is responsible for the Israeli Nuclear Research Center in the Soreq Valley and the Dimona reactor. Its chairman status was elevated to the head of Mossad and Shin Bet.

Officially, the Atomic Energy Commission advises the government on nuclear research and development issues and represents Israel in international institutions, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna.

However, in reality, it leads Israel's nuclear military activity and is reportedly responsible for Israel's alleged stockpile of atomic weapons.

Amsalem is the son of a family of Moroccan immigrants who arrived in Israel in 1958.

He was born in Jerusalem two years later. Since his early youth, he has been active in the Likud party and tried to be elected to the municipality, but failed. He moved to live in the nearby Maale Adumim settlement.

Amsalem is considered a "firebrand" in the Likud party and is known for his harsh criticism of opponents and his comrades in the coalition and the party.

He even criticized Netanyahu for not including him in the government.

Netanyahu's aides held negotiations with Amsalem and discussed appointing him as Speaker of the Knesset or Minister of Justice.

At that time, he told his supporters who had gathered outside his home that Netanyahu was ungrateful.

Amsalem accused Netanyahu of specifically targeting him because he is a Sephardic Jew. "You don't humiliate me. You don't humiliate us, Sephardim."

Netanyahu has urged his advisers to appease Amsalem. It took three months to convince him to join the government last March. He became the regional cooperation minister, a second minister in the Justice Ministry, and the minister in charge of liaising between the government and the Knesset.

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Macron to Raise Defense Targets, Citing Russia Threat

French President Emmanuel Macron looks on before a meeting with New Caledonia's elected officials and state representatives at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 12 July 2025. EPA/TOM NICHOLSON / POOL MAXPPP OUT
French President Emmanuel Macron looks on before a meeting with New Caledonia's elected officials and state representatives at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 12 July 2025. EPA/TOM NICHOLSON / POOL MAXPPP OUT
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Macron to Raise Defense Targets, Citing Russia Threat

French President Emmanuel Macron looks on before a meeting with New Caledonia's elected officials and state representatives at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 12 July 2025. EPA/TOM NICHOLSON / POOL MAXPPP OUT
French President Emmanuel Macron looks on before a meeting with New Caledonia's elected officials and state representatives at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 12 July 2025. EPA/TOM NICHOLSON / POOL MAXPPP OUT

President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday called for a massive boost to France's defense spending, saying freedom in Europe was facing a greater threat than at any time since the end of World War II.

"We are living a pivotal moment," Macron said in a speech to the armed forces on the eve of the national Bastille Day holiday, denouncing "imperialist policies", "annexing powers" and the notion that "might is right", all a reference to Russia, AFP said.

"Never has peace on our continent depended to such an extent on the decisions that we take now," said Macron.

France faced the challenge "of remaining free and masters of our destiny", he added.

Macron said France's defense budget should rise by 3.5 billion euros ($4.1 billion) in 2026, and then by a further three billion euros in 2027.

'Present at their battle stations'

"If you want to be feared, you must be powerful," he said, calling for "mobilization" for national defense by all government departments.

"Everyone must be present at their battle stations," Macron said.

"We are still ahead, but if we remain at the same speed we will be overtaken tomorrow," he added.

French military and security officials have been warning of global threats weighing on France, with Defense Chief of Staff Chief Thierry Burkhard saying on Friday that Russia posed a "durable" threat to Europe and that the "rank of European countries in tomorrow's world" was being decided in Ukraine, invaded by Russia in 2022.

Russia currently views France as its "main adversary in Europe", Burkhard said.

He also warned of the consequences of a diminished US commitment to Europe, along with cyber threats, disinformation campaigns and the risk of terror attacks.

"We have to take account of the fact that there has been a change in strategic parameters," he said.

On Sunday, Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu weighed in, telling the La Tribune weekly newspaper that "it's our job to provide answers".

France needed to make "a new effort" if it wanted to "depend on nobody" in the future, the minister said.

France's defense budget has already increased sharply since Macron took power, rising from 32.2 billion euros ($37.6 billion at current rates) in 2017 to 50.5 billion currently, and is projected to reach 67 billion euros in 2030.

'Sacrosanct' defense budget

If confirmed, the major defense spending boost could, however, threaten French efforts to cut deficits and reduce its debt mountain, amid pressure from the EU Commission on Paris to impose more fiscal discipline.

The servicing of France's debt alone will cost the Treasury 62 billion euros this year.

But Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, who on Tuesday is to outline his budget plan for 2026, has declared the defense budget to be "sacrosanct" and exempt from budgetary cuts.

In Sunday's speech, Macron rejected any financing of the additional defense spending through additional debt.

Several NATO countries are boosting their military spending, after the alliance's members agreed last month to spend five percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) on security.

Britain aims to increase its defense budget to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2027, and to 3.0 percent after 2029. Germany plans to reach a defense budget of 162 billion euros by 2029, equivalent to 3.5 percent of its GDP, while Poland already dedicates 4.7 percent of GDP to defense.

"Very clearly, we need to revise our programming and strategy today, in light of the changing nature of risks," Macron said on Thursday.

Lecornu this month detailed the most urgent needs for the French armed forces, including ground-to-air defenses, ammunition, electronic warfare and space capabilities.

In Sunday's interview, he said France was mostly worried about falling behind in "disruptive technologies" including artificial intelligence and quantum technology.

Beyond budget increases, the French government is also seeking to boost "national cohesion" in the face of global crises, Elysee officials said.

Macron is expected to outline a potential mobilization drive for young people who should be given "an opportunity to serve", Elysee officials said.