Sharon's unity government

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's coalition is the largest government in Israel's history. It consists of 26 ministers and more than a dozen deputy ministers split into a broad spectrum of hawk, dove, ultranationalist and religious parties.

Some key appointments include:

Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer (Labor) -- Ben-Eliezer served in the army for 28 years, rising to the rank of brigadier general. He was communications minister under former Prime Minister Ehud Barak. Ben- Eliezer is considered more hawkish than most members of the Labor Party on security issues.

Foreign Minister Shimon Peres (Labor) -- A former Israeli prime minister, Peres was a co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for orchestrating the 1993 Oslo peace accord with the Palestinians. In addition to serving as foreign minister, he also accepted the post of first deputy prime minister.

Finance Minister Silvan Shalom (Likud) -- The Tunisian-born Shalom, whose surname means "peace" in Hebrew, is an economist and accountant who has served as an adviser to the finance minister. He has also held the posts of deputy defense minister and science minister.

Interior Minister Eli Yishai(Shas) -- Yishai, head of the powerful, ultraorthodox Shas Party, studied in a seminary before entering politics. He was labor and social affairs minister under Prime Minister Ehud Barak, but he resigned in protest over Barak's decision to hold talks on a final settlement with the Palestinians in July 2000.

Housing and Construction Minister Natan Sharansky (Israel B'Aliya) -- Sharansky, head of a right-wing Russian immigrants party, was born in Ukraine. He spent nine years in a Soviet prison for dissident activities before he immigrated to Israel. He was interior minister under Prime Minister Ehud Barak, but he resigned over Barak's decision to join the Palestinians for talks at Camp David, Maryland, in July 2000.

Infrastructure Minister Avigdor Lieberman (Israel Beiteinu) -- Lieberman heads the extreme right-wing Israel Beiteinu Party and is known for fiery pronouncements such as suggestions that Israel attack Egypt and Iran in the event of an Arab offensive. He immigrated to Israel in 1978 from Moldova, then a Soviet republic.

Minister without Portfolio Salah Tarif (Labor) -- Tarif is the first Israeli Arab to hold a Cabinet post in the Jewish state. He is a member of the Druze community, an offshoot of Islam. Unlike other Arab Israelis, Druze are allowed to serve in the Israeli military. Tarif did tours of duty in Lebanon and the West Bank, rising to the rank of captain.

The complete list of Israel's new Cabinet:

• Foreign minister -- Shimon Peres, Labor Party

• Defense minister -- Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, Labor Party

• Finance minister -- Silvan Shalom, Likud Party

• Public security minister -- Uzi Landau, Likud Party

• Education minister -- Limor Livnat, Likud Party

• Justice minister -- Meir Shitreet, Likud Party

• Interior minister -- Eli Yishai, Shas Party

• Communications minister -- Ruby Rivlin, Likud Party

• Transportation minister -- Ephriam Sneh, Labor Party

• Environment minister -- Tzahi Hanegbi, Likud Party

• Infrastructure minister -- Avigdor Lieberman, Israel Beiteinu Party

• Tourism minister -- Rehavam Zeevi, National Union Party

• Industry and trade minister -- Dalia Yitzik, Labor Party

• Sport and culture minister -- Matan Vilnai, Labor Party

• Agriculture minister -- Shalom Simchon, Labor Party

• Housing and construction minister -- Natan Sharansky, Israel B'Aliya

• Labor minister -- Shlomo Binizri, Shas Party

• Social affairs coordination minister -- Shmuel Avital, One Nation Party

• Health minister -- Nissim Dahan, Shas Party

• Religious affairs minister -- Asher Ohana, Shas Party

• Jerusalem affairs minister -- Eli Suissa, Shas Party

• Regional cooperation minister -- Tzipi Livneh, Likud Party

• Minister without portfolio -- Salah Tarif, Labor Party

• Minister without portfolio -- Raanan Cohen, Labor Party

• Minister without portfolio -- Danny Naveh, Likud Party