Israel Cabinet okays far-right Lieberman as defence minister

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Cabinet on Monday approved the entry of ultra-nationalist Avigdor Lieberman to the ruling coalition as defence minister, after defusing Opposition from another partner, the government said.

The religious nationalist party Jewish Home had planned to block the addition of Mr 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 Mr Netanyahu’s office said.

It added that Yisrael Beitenu’s Sofa Landver was approved as minister of immigrant absorption.

The deal was 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.

Mr Netanyahu and Jewish Home party leader Naftali Bennett reached a compromise on Sunday night after mediation by a third party, a Likud statement said.

Jewish Home holds eight parliamentary seats, enough to block Mr Netanyahu’s proposed new line-up.

If approved by Parliament, the deal would create what is seen as the most right-wing government in Israel’s history.

Jewish Home had demanded the creation of a military liaison for the government’s security cabinet, a smaller forum of Cabinet members which decides on matters of national security.