During a plenary session of the Knesset, the government's decision to abolish the Ministry of Intelligence, led by Gila Gamliel, was approved. The decision received 33 votes in favor, with no abstentions or votes against.
Gila Gamliel will now head the Ministry of Science, succeeding Ofir Akunis, who has been appointed as the Israeli consul in New York.
Reports of Ofir Akunis potentially leaving the government for a diplomatic career surfaced in early February.
Netanyahu planned to reduce the size of the government by eliminating some ineffective ministries, with Akunis's departure being part of this plan.
The Prime Minister is authorized to make 11 political appointments in the foreign service, and Akunis's appointment as consul in New York will be the final appointment from that quota.
Benjamin Netanyahu's inner circle considered various Likud candidates for the New York vacancy, including Intelligence Minister Gila Gamliel and Knesset Member Boaz Bismuth.
