Avigdor Lieberman named as Israel’s defence minister
May 25, 2016
The controversial right-wing Israeli politician Avigdor Lieberman has agreed to bring his Yisrael Beitenu party into the country’s governing coalition. The deal, which shores up Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s one-seat majority in parliament, will see Mr Lieberman appointed Defence minister. Mr Lieberman pledged his commitment to “responsible, reasonable policy“.
The deal led Moshe Yaalon, a member of Mr Netanyahu’s Likud party, to quit as defence minister in protest on Friday. The former general warned that Israel was being taken over by “dangerous and extreme elements“. Mr Lieberman, who has twice served as foreign minister, has a reputation for inflammatory comments and takes a hawkish stance towards the Palestinians.