Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has decided not to appoint Nir Barkat as minister in the next government.
"I met with MK Nir Barkat, whom I greatly value. Nir Barkat deserves senior positions in both the Likud and the government. Unfortunately, this did not become possible before inaugurating the government. I will make a great effort to integrate MK Barkat into a senior government position down the road."