Internal Affairs Minister of Israel

The Interior Minister ( _he. שר הפנים, "Sar HaPnim"), also known as the Minister of Internal Affairs is head of the Israeli Ministry of Interior and an important portfolio in the cabinet. The current Interior Minister is Meir Sheetrit of Kadima. It should not be confused with the Internal Security Minister.

The position is often demanded by avowedly religious or secular parties as it allows them to control religious councils and planning (including the building of settlements), as well as religion and state issues such as civil marriage and immigration (which is affected by the "Who is a Jew?" debate). In recent years it has been held by Shas, an ultra-orthodox party, as well as Shinui and Yisrael BaAliyah, both secularist.

There is also occasionally a Deputy Minister of the Interior.

List of Interior Ministers

¹ Although Suissa was not an MK at the time, he was later elected to the Knesset for Shas.

² After Ariel Sharon's stroke, Deputy Interior Minister Ruhama Avraham fulfilled the position's duties.

Deputy Ministers

External links

* [http://www.knesset.gov.il/govt/eng/GovtByMinistry_eng.asp?ministry=8 All Ministers in the Ministry of Internal Affairs] Knesset website