returned to Likud when Kadima decided to leave the short-lived unity government in July 2012. Hanegbi explained that he believed Kadima's decision to quit the unity government was irresponsible, and motivated by short-term political goals. Following his decision, Hanegbi was re-elected on the Likud list in the January 2013 elections. In June 2014 he was appointed Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. On 30 May 2016 Hanegbi was appointed Minister without portfolio in the Fourth Netanyahu Cabinet, dealing with issues concerning defense and foreign affairs. On 2 June 2016 Hanegbi denied allegations that he intentionally wrote a report on Operation Protective Edge that cleared the Israeli government of all wrongdoing. He was appointed Acting Minister of Communications in February 2017, a post he held until being replaced by Ayoob Kara in May. See also List of Israeli public officials convicted of crimes or misdemeanors References External links Tzachi Hanegbi's official website 1957 births Living people Deputy ministers of Israel Hebrew University of Jerusalem Faculty of Social Sciences alumni Israeli Ashkenazi Jews Israeli people of Moroccan-Jewish descent Israeli people of Polish-Jewish descent Israeli people of Turkish-Jewish descent Israeli people of Yemeni-Jewish descent Israeli politicians convicted of crimes Israeli Sephardi Jews Jewish Israeli politicians Kadima politicians Likud politicians Members of the 12th Knesset (1988–1992) Members of the 13th Knesset (1992–1996) Members of the 14th Knesset (1996–1999) Members of the 15th Knesset (1999–2003) Members of the 16th Knesset (2003–2006) Members of the 17th Knesset (2006–2009) Members of the 18th Knesset (2009–2013) Members of the 19th Knesset (2013–2015) Members of the 20th Knesset (2015–2019) Members of the 21st Knesset (2019) Members of the 22nd Knesset (2019–2020) Members of the 23rd Knesset (2020–2021) Members of the 24th Knesset (2021–2022) Ministers of Communications of Israel Ministers of Environment of Israel Ministers of Health of Israel Ministers of Justice of Israel Ministers of Public Security of Israel Ministers of Transport of Israel Israeli Mizrahi Jews People from Jerusalem Perjurers Tel Aviv University alumni