Occupied Jerusalem — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet on Monday approved the entry of ultra-nationalist Avigdor Lieberman to the ruling coalition as defense minister, after defusing opposition from another partner, the government said.
The religious nationalist party Jewish Home had planned to block the addition of Lieberman’s Yisrael Beitenu party by voting against it in parliament, possibly sparking fresh elections, unless demands for procedural reform were met.
“The cabinet unanimously approved the appointment of Avigdor Lieberman as minister of defence,” a statement from Netanyahu’s office said.
It added that Yisrael Beitenu’s Sofa Landver was approved as minister of immigrant absorption.
The deal is expected to be approved by parliament later on Monday, with the new ministers to take their oaths of office.
The prime minister’s office said that as part of the reshuffle, veteran Likud MP Tzachi Hanegbi, chairman of parliament’s foreign affairs and defence committee, would become a minister without portfolio.
Netanyahu and Jewish Home party leader Naftali Bennett reached a compromise on Sunday night after mediation by a third party, a Likud statement said. — AFP
