fbpx

News

Lieberman set to become Defence Minister after Herzog coalition talks collapse

[ssba]

After a dramatic day of political developments, the leader of  Yisrael Beitenu appears set to become Israel’s Defence Minister, bolstering the prime minister’s coalition by six seats.

Avigdor Lieberman is set to join Benjamin Netanyahu, whose coalition has a single-seat majority. Netanyahu had been in advanced talks with opposition leader, Zionist Union head Isaac Herzog over his party entering the government. However, the talks appeared to be stuck on a number of issues, including ministerial portfolios and the peace process. There are reports in the Israeli media today that former-Prime Minister Tony Blair played an important role in trying to broker an agreement between Netanyahu and Herzog.

When Lieberman held a press conference yesterday morning to say that he was ready to talk to Netanyahu, the Prime Minister swiftly invited him to a meeting, at which they appeared to quickly reach an agreement. A Likud Party statement said: “The meeting was straightforward… at its conclusion, it was decided to establish negotiation teams.”

Herzog made clear that “We won’t negotiate in parallel with Lieberman” and said that Netanyahu faced “a historic choice” to “either embark on a journey of war and funerals” with Lieberman or choose a path of “hope for all”. Lieberman has previously served as Foreign Minister under Netanyahu, although the two have previously endured sharp clashes. Lieberman is considered an outspoken hardliner on several issues, including military affairs.

It is thought that Lieberman has accepted an offer to become Defence Minister, replacing Likud’s Moshe Ya’alon, following a well-publicised disagreement with Netanyahu this week over outspoken IDF officers. Reports suggest Yaalon may be offered the position of Foreign Minister. Meanwhile, Lieberman’s Yisrael Beitenu Party will also reportedly receive the Immigrant Absorption Ministry.

Likud’s Tourism Minister Yariv Levin commented: “I welcome the positive progress in talks to add Yisrael Beitenu to the government.” However, veteran Likud MK Benny Begin provided a voice of opposition on the right, calling Lieberman’s imminent appointment “bizarre” and demonstrating “lack of responsibility toward the defence establishment”.