Ex-Transportation Ministry head, 41, returns from maternity leave to take reins of Finance Ministry; ministers approve slate of new top executives of government ministries

Prof. Chezy Levy, director of Ashkelon's Barzilai Medical Center, replaces Moshe Bar Siman-Tov, who led coronavirus pandemic response

A health minister who made no health decisions, a finance minister begging to leave office -- and powerful directors general setting policy in lieu of indifferent politicians

As virus cases rise, public told to be stricter about wearing masks and maintaining social distancing -- by government officials apparently unable to do the same

While others were distracted by annexations, rotations and newfangled ministries, Shas and UTJ quietly won control over key ministries and major bottlenecks of economic policy

Prof. Chezy Levy, director of Ashkelon's Barzilai Medical Center, replaces Moshe Bar Siman-Tov, who led coronavirus pandemic response

Yaakov Litzman, now housing minister, says he was kept in the loop 'here and there' as experts presented opinions to decision makers

After outgoing health minister lashed out at ministry's director, report cites one unnamed cabinet member insisting Litzman 'didn't sound the alarm at any stage'

Yaakov Litzman, who came under heavy criticism for his handling of crisis, says Netanyahu acceded to Moshe Bar Siman-Tov's 'overblown' assessment of pandemic danger

Right-wing party, which had backed Likud leader, refuses to be part of what it calls ‘left-wing’ government'; slate accused of being motivated by cabinet seats, not ideology