MK and former Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon of the Likud party arrived at the Knesset on Tuesday for the swearing in of the 20th Knesset, where he told Arutz Sheva he anticipates to be appointed as a minister in Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's fourth government.
"I'm interested in the welfare portfolio, I think it's a very important statement, and I will be very happy to serve the public in that portfolio or any other portfolio that the prime minister hands me," revealed Danon.
Until last summer's Operation Protective Edge Danon served as deputy defense minister, but Netanyahu fired him from the post after he criticized the prime minister's unwillingness to deal decisive blows to Hamas and readiness to agree to ceasefires with the terrorist group.
Danon pointed out how Netanyahu had been willing to seal ceasefires even before Hamas's tunnels into Israel were unveiled to lethal affect, meaning he either had agreed to stop the fighting while leaving the direct threat on Israeli civilians intact, or else was altogether unaware of the threat.
Speaking more generally about Likud's elections success, Danon pointed out "Likud is returning with 30 mandates. We went out with 18 mandates, and after they eulogized us the public gave us their confidence."
"We return here with a lot of responsibility and a lot to prove to the public in the coming government," he said.
Addressing the other parties, Danon said, "I call on our partners: calm down. Everyone will be in the coalition, there will be a coalition on the basis of the nationalist camp, but we need to remember that Likud got 30 mandates and therefore we also need to consider the results."
The comment appears to address Jewish Home, which Netanyahu promised before elections would be a key member of the coalition even before the votes were cast. Members of the party - which saw its number of MKs drop from 12 to 8 - have complained that they are not being given preference by Likud in the coalition negotiations despite those promises
"With G-d's help we'll return here (to the Knesset) immediately after the Pesach (Passover) holiday to start working," Danon promised.