Ten graduates among ministers in recently convened cabinet.

Upon the swearing in of Israel’s new Unity Government, the country’s 36^th government, on Sunday night, Tel Aviv University would like to extend special congratulations to all the TAU alumni who are now serving as cabinet ministers. The Knesset (Israel’s parliament) approved the new coalition government in the wake of four inconclusive elections over the past two years.

Most Diverse in Israeli History

The new government is noted as the most diverse in Israeli history as it comprises representation from across the political spectrum from left-wing, centrist and right-wing parties. For the first time in decades, the country’s ruling faction includes an Arab party. It also has the highest representation of women cabinet ministers (9 out of 28) in Israeli history. Reflecting Israel’s diverse societal makeup, the new government is comprised of lawmakers from a vast range of social, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including Jews (observant and secular, Ashkenazi and Mizrahi), Druze, Muslims, native Israelis along with immigrants from Russia, Ethiopia and more. Tel Aviv University alumni assuming ministerial posts include:

• Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked, alumna of the Blavatnik School of Computer Science, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences

• Intelligence Minister Elazar Stern, alumnus of the Coller School of Management

• Defense Minister Benny Gantz, alumnus of The Zvi Yavetz School of Historical Studies, Entin Faculty of Humanities

• Justice Minister Gideon Sa’ar, alumnus of The Buchmann Faculty of Law and the Gordon Faculty of Social Sciences

• Communications Minister Yoaz Hendel, alumnus of The Chaim Rosenberg School of Jewish Studies & Archeology, Entin Faculty of Humanities

• Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz, alumnus of the Buchmann Faculty of Law

• Agriculture Minister/Minister for Periphery, Negev and Galilee Development Oded Forer, alumnus of The School of Political Science, Government and International Affairs, Gordon Faculty of Social Sciences

• Internal Security Minister Col. Omer Barlev, alumnus of the School of Political Science, Government and International Affairs, Gordon Faculty of Social Sciences

• Aliyah and Integration Minister Pnina Tamano-Shata, alumna of the Department of Public Policy, Gordon Faculty of Social Sciences

• Environmental Protection Minister Tamar Zandberg, alumna of the Buchmann Faculty of Law

Furthermore, TAU alumnus of the Buchmann Faculty of Law, Idan Roll, has filled the position of Deputy Foreign Minister. In addition, due to the resignation as Knesset members of nine new ministers, six more TAU alumni have joined the Knesset, including two TAU professors – U.S.-born Prof. Alon Tal (chair of the Department of Public Policy) and Prof. Yossi Shain (School of Political Science). In total, 22 TAU alumni now serve as members in the current 24th Knesset. featured image: Israel’s 36th government