Israel to shut down Intelligence Ministry, Minister Gamliel to become Science Minister

The government is likely to shut down the Ministry of Intelligence and appoint Intelligence Minister Gila Gamliel as the new Science and Technology Minister instead of Ofir Akunis, who was recently tapped as Israel's next consul-general in New York City.

In early February, it was reported that Ofir Akunis might leave the government for a diplomatic career. Netanyahu planned to take this step to reduce the bloated government by closing one of the ineffective ministries.

The Prime Minister is entitled to 11 political appointments in the diplomatic service. Akunis's appointment as consul-general in New York City will be this quota's eleventh and final appointment.

Benjamin Netanyahu's office considered several candidates from Likud for the vacancy in New York, including Intelligence Minister Gila Gamliel and Knesset member Boaz Bismuth.