Defense Minister of Israel

The Defense Minister of Israel ( _he. שר הביטחון, "Sar HaBitahon" lit. "Minister of Security") [In Israel, although the "Security Minister" (שר הביטחון) title is translated in English as "Defense Minister," in Hebrew, the Defense Ministers of other countries are more often referred to as "Defense Minister" ( _he. שר ההגנה, "Sar HaHagana").] is head of the Ministry of Defense in Israel. The post is considered to be the second most important position in the Israeli cabinet, and usually has a Deputy Minister. The Defense Minister is also a permanent member of the Security Cabinet. The current Defense Minister is Ehud Barak, leader of the Labor Party.

Due to the great importance of the defense portfolio, prime ministers have often held the position in addition to their prime ministerial duties; seven of the sixteen Defense Ministers to date were also serving Prime Ministers. Four of them (Moshe Dayan, Yitzhak Rabin, Ehud Barak and Shaul Mofaz) are also former Chief of Staffs of the IDF.

Amongst the duties of the post, Defense Ministers can request administrative detention. Because of the intensive work and the tension between the political echelon to the military echelon, frequently disagreements and difference of opinion are created between the Defense Minister and the chief of general staff.

List of Defense Ministers

Notes