Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assigned Immigrant Absorption Minister Ze’ev Elkin the additional position of Jerusalem Affairs Minister early Tuesday morning — despite having promised to not entrust the office to a cabinet member other than himself –in a move that drew sharp criticism from Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, according to the Times of Israel.

The appointment is seen as an attempt by the prime minister to appease the powerful Elkin, who had the Strategic Affairs Ministry taken away from him less than a week after he won it as part of Netanyahu’s deal with MK Gilad Erdan.