Prime Minister Sharon's National Unity Government:
Composition & Guidelines

The Knesset approved by a vote of 72-21 Sharon's unity government, the largest in Israel's history, on Wednesday, March 07, 2001.

Cabinet Composition

Ariel Sharon - Prime Minister; Minister of Immigrant Absorption

Shimon Peres - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs

Eli Yishai - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior

Natan Sharansky - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Housing and Construction

Silvan Shalom - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance

Shmuel Avital - Minister without Portfolio, responsible for coordinating social affairs

Asher Ohana - Minister of Religious Affairs

Dalia Itzik - Minister of Industry and Trade

Benjamin Ben-Eliezer - Minister of Defense

Shlomo Benizri - Minister of Labor and Social Affairs

Nissim Dahan - Minister of Health

Tzachi Hanegbi - Minister of the Environment

Matan Vilnai - Minister of Science, Culture and Sport

Rehavam Ze'evi - Minister of Tourism

Salah Tarif - Minister without Portfolio

Ra'anan Cohen - Minister without Portfolio

Tzipi Livni - Minister for Regional Cooperation (the portfolio will be entrusted to her for the time being; she will be entrusted with other responsibilities in the future)

Limor Livnat - Minister of Education

Avigdor Lieberman - Minister of National Infrastructures

Uzi Landau - Minister of Public Security

Dan Naveh - Minister without Portfolio, responsible for coordination between the government and the Knesset

Eliyahu Suissa - Minister without Portfolio, responsible for Jerusalem affairs

Ephraim Sneh - Minister of Transportation

Reuven Rivlin - Minister of Communications

Meir Sheetrit - Minister of Justice

Shalom Simhon - Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development

Click here to read the different ministers' biographies

Israeli Unity Government Guidelines

On the key issues of peace, security and settlements…

- In light of the difficult security and diplomatic challenges facing the State of Israel, the parties belonging to the new coalition (Labor, Likud, Shas, National Union, Yisrael Beitenu and Yisrael b'Aliyah) have chosen to unite their forces and form a national unity government. Despite the fact that they continue to maintain their basic positions regarding the nature and conditions of a final status accord, the different political parties have decided to act in a joint government that will unify around broad national consensus.

- The government will carry out a determined fight against violence and terror in order to fortify Israel's security and provide personal security to all citizens. It will request from the Palestinian Authority to deliver on its commitments and enforce signed agreements. The government will make sure that the PA tries its utmost to prevent acts of violence and fight against terror directed against Israeli citizens and soldiers.

- The government believes that direct and unmediated negotiation is the best way to instill relations of trust between the sides and to promote the cause of peace.
The government is committed to continue talks with the Palestinian people. Negotiations should result in the signing of interim accords. These accords, which will pave the way to a final peace deal, will require compromises from all parties. Under the interim accords, a new deployment of Israel in the territories of Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip will be envisioned insofar as it does not constitute a threat to Israel's security.

- During the period of the government's term in office, no new settlements will be constructed. The government will provide solutions and tend to the ongoing natural development needs in the current settlements.

- The government of Israel will honor previous diplomatic agreements that were ratified by the Knesset. According to international law, the implementation of these agreements depends on the compliance of the other side.

- The government will aspire to reach a final status accord with Syria and the Palestinians based on UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338.

- The government of Israel calls upon the government of Lebanon to undertake its part in implementing UN Security Council Resolution 425 and forging a peace treaty with Israel. The government will demand that Lebanon and Syria prevent acts of terror that threaten the peace and security of residents of the North and IDF soldiers.

On the issue of Israel and the Middle East…

- The new Government extends a hand of peace and cooperation to Israel's Arab neighbors. As has been the case in the past, Israel is committed to pursue peace and coexistence in our region. The Arab world will find the new government ready to engage in a fair and honest dialogue.

On the issue of Israel & the Jewish world...

- The new government will put the emphasis on reaching out to the Jewish communities all over the world, building new bridges in an effort to strengthen the bonds between Israel and the Diaspora.

On the issue of the Israeli society & economy…

- The new government will take the steps to reduce the social gaps present in the Israeli society and will make the efforts in order to achieve equal opportunity for everyone. In that respect, improving the educational system will represent a major objective for the new coalition.

- Giving the economy new incentives will also be a top priority for the government. By fully liberalizing trade policies, bolstering the already outstanding performances of the high-tech industry, creating a favorable atmosphere for investments or further developing the country's infrastructure, the new government will accomplish just that.

Click here to read Prime Minister Sharon's inauguration speech