The addition of Gideon Saar to Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition strengthens the prime minister’s political position.
Gideon Saar, a member of Israel’s opposition, announced on Sunday that he would be joining Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, giving the Israeli leader’s fragile coalition an added layer of support.
Mr. Saar’s decision comes as Mr. Netanyahu continues to face criticism over his handling of the war between Israel and Hamas, including from within his government. It also represented a reversal: Mr. Saar had been one of the Mr. Netanyahu’s staunchest opponents in recent years.
He and three other members of his party will be joining the coalition, said Michael Maoz, a spokesman for Mr. Saar. Mr. Netanyahu’s coalition will effectively grow to 68 members from 64; there are 120 members in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament.
The prime minister and his defense minister, Yoav Gallant, have frequently clashed since the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, fueling speculation that Mr. Netanyahu could be looking for a way to fire him.
Mr. Saar had originally sought to become defense minister, but a deal that would have landed him that job fell apart after Israel exponentially increased its attacks on Hezbollah two weeks ago.
Later on Sunday, the government unanimously approved appointing Mr. Saar as a minister without a portfolio.
Explaining his decision, Mr. Saar said he did not see value in continuing to sit in the opposition, most of whom hold different views from his on the war.
“This is a time in which it’s my obligation to try to contribute to decision making,” he said.
Johnatan Reiss contributed reporting.
Adam Rasgon is a reporter for The Times in Jerusalem, covering Israeli and Palestinian affairs. More about Adam Rasgon
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