Israeli opposition lawmaker Gideon Saar is joining Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, Netanyahu announced on Sunday, in a move likely to strengthen the premier politically.
The hawkish Saar, who has been one of Netanyahu's most vocal critics in the past few years, was due to serve as a minister without a portfolio and take a seat at the prime minister's security cabinet, Israeli television station N12 said.
Expanding the government will likely strengthen Netanyahu by making him less reliant on other members of his coalition government.
Saar had hoped to replace Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, another rival of Netanyahu’s. But a deal to become defense minister fell through several weeks ago after fighting intensified with Hezbollah.
