A Vision for an Ideal and Strong Unity Government

I have no political agenda here regarding specific personalities.

No one knows how I voted in this past election and you won’t know after reading this.

I am writing this article because I am so bothered and worried while reading about elected officials considering caving on the most important ideological issues to form a government.

I just want what’s best for Israel, and what I believe the overwhelming majority of Israelis wants to see.

Imagine this:

A 72-member government. (Likud – 27, Yashar – 21, Beyachad – 12, Yisrael Beiteinu – 7, Religious Zionism – 5, one of their seats comes from the “Zehut” party, which would not be part of this government).

A lean 15-ministry government (the USA executive branch has 15 departments)

The ministers are, for the most part, the most senior Knesset members within their respective parties, with adjustments made to ensure the inclusion of women in the government.

Prime Minister – Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud)

• Yes. He didn’t win the election. But this will be Netanyahu’s last term, and if surrounded by ministers from “the other side,” he is the most experienced to deal with President Trump and the reshaping of the Middle East over the next two years. And let’s face it – 1,784,533 Israelis voted for him to be the prime minister (I know more voted for him to not be prime minister, but no one else comes close to the numbers who voted for him specifically to be prime minister).

Defense Minister and Deputy Prime Minister – Gadi Eisenkot (Yashar)

• For the sake of unity, and acknowledging that he doesn’t have significant ministerial experience, Eisenkot accepts this role, which is perfect for him. A former IDF chief of staff, he will be great in this position, and it can help build him for future leadership.

Foreign Minister – Yair Lapid (Beyachad)

• Like him or dislike him, Lapid represents Israel well overseas. He speaks English fluently and is well respected by a wide spectrum of foreign leaders.

Finance Minister – Naftali Bennett (Beyachad)

• A very successful businessman who thinks out of the box and knows how to create and implement plans, Bennett can make the critical decisions needed to improve Israel’s economy for now and the future.

Housing Minister – Betzalel Smotrich (Religious Zionists)

• In every role he has served in, Smotrich has proven to be a professional and intelligent minister. With his love for the land of Israel and his passion for settling the land, he may be just who we need to bring down the cost of housing.

Interior Minister – Avigdor Liberman (Yisrael Beiteinu)

• With his strong background in the Aliyah world and his strong feelings for unfair policies toward specific populations, Liberman can get this poorly-run ministry back on track.

Education Minister – Adi Altshuler (Yashar)

• One of the most beloved figures in Israel, Altshuler is an experienced educator who has created numerous educational programs to inspire Israel’s youth. She entered politics with this ministry in mind, and Israel needs an innovative and creative educator to run this ministry.

National Security Minister – Yoram Cohen (Yashar)

• Former head of the Shabak, Israel’s internal security organization, Cohen has the experience and respect needed for this role.

Transportation Minister – Keren Terner (Beyachad)

• Former director general of this ministry, Terner would enter this role with the experience and knowledge to get the job done.

Justice Minister – Amir Ohana (Likud)

• Ohana formerly served in this role from 2019-2020 after a career in the Shabak. He interned with the Justice Ministry in the State Prosecutor’s Office after finishing law school and worked as a lawyer in criminal law for a decade. The coalition agreement would include points of agreement for judicial reform.

Aliyah Minister – Oded Forer (Yisrael Beiteinu)

Forer served as the director-general of this ministry from 2013-2015, and as chairman of the Knesset Aliyah committee. He could make the necessary reforms to pave the way for more Olim to come to Israel and have a more successful Aliyah.

Energy Minister – Orit Farkash (Yashar)

• Farkash previously served as chairwoman of the Israel Electric Authority and as head of the Department of Energy, Regulation and Infrastructure for a large Israeli law firm.

Health Minister – Miri Regev (Likud)

• Regev would be the first minister in the government with no specific background for the assigned ministry. She is the highest female in Likud, and would have to be given a ministry.

Welfare Minister – Talik Gvili (Likud)

• While her background is in law, Gvili’s work trying to get back her son Ran’s body from captivity in Gaza introduced her to all of Israel, and I can see her being the compassionate leader needed for this role.

Agriculture Minister – Orit Struck (Religious Zionists)

• Her love and passion for the land of Israel could lead Struck to have great success in this often overlooked and not cared about ministry.

Speaker of the Knesset – Eli Cohen (Likud)

• Assertive but not aggressive, intelligent and honest, well liked and not extreme – the perfect combination for this role.

This government could move forward with:

• Strength against Israel’s enemies from without and within on the security front
• A readiness and ability to see through diplomatic breakthroughs
• Representing Israel with divinity and lack of extremism to the world
• Creating equality with regard to the Haredim and national service
• Massive economic, housing, and education reforms
• Judicial reform with broad consensus
• And yes, an inquiry into October 7: Overseen equally by the president of the Supreme Court – Yitzchak Amit, a liberal justice and deputy president of the Supreme Court – and conservative justice Noam Sohlberg

And most importantly: UNITY! An end to the divisiveness that has ripped Israel apart these past few years.

This government could get so much done for Israel while leaving the more extreme parties and the Arab parties to serve in the opposition.

I hope and pray that our elected officials put their egos to the side – and ALL must do this for this to work – and form a government along the lines presented here.

Amen!