Hashem Hussein, director-general of the Regional Cooperation Ministry (L), and Deputy Minister Ayoub Kara. (GPO) (GPO)
Hashem Hussein, Director General of the Regional Cooperation Ministry

Israel tasked a member of its Druze minority to head the Regional Cooperation Ministry, a significant government body.  

Israel’s Cabinet approved on Sunday the appointment of Hashem Hussein as director-general of the Regional Cooperation Ministry during its weekly meeting.

Hussein, a member of the Israeli Druze community, is formerly of the Prime Minister’s Office, where he was involved in sector planning and development for minorities.

The Regional Cooperation Ministry is led by Deputy Minister Ayoub Kara, also a Druze. Both men will be active in developing new links with Arab countries and in advancing Israel’s Druze and Circassian communities.

Hussein, born in 1971 and a native of Rama in the Upper Galilee, attained the rank of major in the IDF, where he served in the Judea and Samaria Legal Adviser’s Office. He holds two Master’s degrees, one in Public Administration and the other in Middle Eastern studies.

Hussein stated after his appointment was cleared that he was moved by the trust the government expressed in his abilities. “I am hopeful that the ministry I am leading will bring more regional economic and social cooperation, and that it will increase the bond between the Israeli government ministries and Israel’s minorities,” he stated.