After the dramatic announcement last week by Interior Minister Gideon Saar that he is stepping down after the Tishrei Yomim Tovim to take a break from politics, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu offered the post to Communications Minister Gilad Erdan.

Erdan, who was elected to the number two slot on the Likud roster in three primary elections remains popular as well as loyal to the prime minister. While Erdan had already accepted an offer to become Israel’s next UN ambassador he is now being asked to remain and take the senior cabinet post. The prime minister would prefer to see Erdan fill Saar’s position rather than lose another loyalist from his lineup as his popularity among central committee members wanes. Erdan has signaled he will announce his decision by Rosh Hashanah. Most believe that his loyalty to Mr. Netanyahu will compel him to forego the UN diplomatic post to continue in the political arena at home.

Some Likud faction members have already set their sights on the Communications Ministry, once viewed as a minor cabinet appointment, now seen as significant following the tenures of Moshe Kahlon and Erdan.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)