New Israeli Security Cabinet formed to half size

                
The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Tuesday that Israel's new security cabinet will include just seven ministers, down from 15 in the previous administration.                      

The composition of the ministerial committee for national security issues was agreed late on Monday, at the first meeting of the new cabinet which convened soon after Netanyahu's coalition government was sworn in.                     

The ministerial forum, which is presided by the prime minister, harbors a key role in taking decisions on top diplomatic and security issues, including Iran's nuclear program, military operations, and relations with the Palestinians.                       

Ministers named as members include Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon, Finance Minister Yair Lapid, who heads the centrist Yesh Atid party, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni who leads centrist HaTnuah, Economy and Trade Minister Naftali Bennett who leads the far-right Jewish Home, Home Front Defense Minister Gilad Erdan and Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch.                            

The Israeli parliament gave its approval on Monday to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new governing coalition, which includes a strong showing of pro-settlement hardliners.                    

A mark of confidence in the new administration gave it 68 votes in favor and 48 against.                         

Netanyahu and his 21 ministers then took their oaths of office in the house and held their first cabinet meeting immediately afterwards.After more than 40 days of coalition negotiations, the government finally took office just two days before the visit of U.S. President Barack Obama.