The Israeli parliament has approved an agreement between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party and the opposition Kadima party to form a coalition cabinet.
 
The coalition deal was approved on Wednesday by 71 votes to 23 a day after the two reached a deal to avoid an early election.
 
The new Israeli cabinet will now have a majority of 94 in the 120-seat parliament (Keenest).
 
Immediately after the deal was approved, Kadima leader Shaul Mofaz was appointed as a minister within the premier’s office and one of Netanyahu’s vice prime ministers.
 
According to an outline of the coalition deal, Kadima leader will also be a member of the Security Cabinet and Netanyahu’s inner circle. Kadima will also chair four powerful parliamentary committees, including defense and foreign affairs.
 
Opposition lawmakers have criticized Mofaz, who took over leadership of the center-right Kadima only six weeks ago, for what they called "opportunism" and "cheap politics."
 
Mofaz, a critic of Netanyahu, had earlier described the coalition headed by him as "all that is wrong with Israel" and had vowed never to join it.
 
(Press TV)