Fifth government of Israel

The fifth government of Israel was formed by Moshe Sharett during the second Knesset on 26 January 1954, and was the first government not led by David Ben-Gurion. Sharett kept the same coalition partners as during the fourth government, i.e. Mapai, the General Zionists, the Progressive Party, Mizrachi, Hapoel HaMizrachi, the Democratic List for Israeli Arabs, Progress and Work and Agriculture and Development.

Dateformed26 January 1954 (1954-01-26)

Datedissolved29 June 1955 (1955-06-29)

Head of state

Yitzhak Ben-Zvi

Head of government

Moshe Sharett

Quick facts First Sharett Cabinet, Date formed ...

First Sharett Cabinet
5th Cabinet of Israel
Date formed	26 January 1954 (1954-01-26)
Date dissolved	29 June 1955 (1955-06-29)
People and organisations
Head of state	Yitzhak Ben-Zvi
Head of government	Moshe Sharett
Member parties	Mapai General Zionists Progressive Party Hapoel HaMizrachi Mizrachi Democratic List for Israeli Arabs Progress and Work Agriculture and Development
Status in legislature	coalition
Opposition leader	Meir Ya'ari
History
Legislature term	2nd Knesset
Predecessor	4th cabinet of Israel
Successor	6th cabinet of Israel

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The only changes to the previous government were Sharett taking over as PM, Pinhas Lavon as Minister of Defense, the addition of Zalman Aran as a Minister without Portfolio and the dropping of the two Mizrachi and Hapoel HaMizrachi Deputy Ministerial posts.

Ben-Gurion returned to the government in February 1955, replacing Lavon following the former's resignation over the Lavon Affair.

The government fell when Sharett resigned on 29 June 1955, when the General Zionists refused to abstain from voting on a motion of no-confidence brought by Herut and Maki over the government's position on the trial of Malkiel Gruenwald, who had accused Israel Kastzner of collaborating with the Nazis.