19 nov 2018
Justice Minister Shaked, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Education Minister Bennett
Education Minister Bennett and Justice Minister Shaked to make an announcement at 10:30am, with political sources saying the two intend to quit the government after Prime Minister Netanyahu decided to keep the defense portfolio rather than give it to Bennett.
Education Minister Naftali Bennett and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked are expected to resign on Monday morning, consequently bringing down the government and leaving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with no choice but to call early elections.
After Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman announced his resignation from the government, Bayit Yehudi demanded the defense portfolio for party head Bennett and threatened to quit the government if the demand is not met.
On Sunday evening, Netanyahu held a press conference and announced he intended to keep the defense portfolio for himself, leaving the ball in Bennett's court.
Earlier on Sunday, Shaked set an ultimatum for the prime minister: Security or elections. "At this point, the government is no longer a right-wing government, unfortunately," she said.
"The only justification for the continued existence of the government until November 2019 is for Bennett to carry out a revolution in security, give Israel back the deterrence that was lost under Lieberman over the past two years, and help to fix the serious crisis in trust in the defense establishment. We must go to elections as soon as possible to establish a new right-wing government, headed by Netanyahu, with Bayit Yehudi being the strong party to his right, so we could finally vote Right and get Right."
However, sources close to Netanyahu said the prime minister was not willing to capitulate to Bennett's demands. Senior Likud officials, meanwhile, said Netanyahu didn't rule out giving Bennett the defense portfolio in the future, but he first wanted the education minister to stay in the government without conditions.
Netanyahu met with Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon on Sunday evening in an effort to convince him to remain in the government.
Following this meeting, Netanyahu announced he would keep the defense portfolio, prompting Bennett and Shaked to announce a press conference at 10:30am on Monday.
Bennett spoke to political officials in the coalition on Sunday evening, telling them he plans to resign following Netanyahu's decision not to appoint him defense minister. According to those officials, Bennett intends to vote in favor of the Knesset's dissolution on Wednesday "as a member of Knesset and not as a minister."
Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel, a member of the Tkuma faction inside Bayit Yehudi, said Monday morning that he and fellow MK Bezalel Smotrich supported Bennett's demand for the defense portfolio, adding that if Bennett decides to resign from the government, his faction will hold a special discussion to decide whether to join the Bayit Yehudi leader's move.
Tourism Minister Yariv Levin, a close associate of Netanyahu, held talks with members of Kahlon's party Kulanu and Bennett's party Bayit Yehudi on Sunday, telling them that "dissolving the government would be an irresponsible act, both on the security level and by bringing down a right-wing government."
Meanwhile, Netanyahu is expected to announce the appointment of ministers in the coming days. With the prime minister deciding to keep the defense portfolio, he will have to give up the Foreign Affairs Ministry. He has promised it to two ministers: Gilad Erdan and Yisrael Katz. But in an effort to avoid a clash between the two ministers, he's leaning towards a third candidate: Yuval Steinitz.
As for the Immigration Absorption Ministry vacated by Yisrael Beytenu member Sofa Landver, Netanyahu is considering giving it to Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely, to whom the prime minister reportedly promised an upgrade to minister at the first chance he gets.
Education Minister Bennett and Justice Minister Shaked to make an announcement at 10:30am, with political sources saying the two intend to quit the government after Prime Minister Netanyahu decided to keep the defense portfolio rather than give it to Bennett.
Education Minister Naftali Bennett and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked are expected to resign on Monday morning, consequently bringing down the government and leaving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with no choice but to call early elections.
After Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman announced his resignation from the government, Bayit Yehudi demanded the defense portfolio for party head Bennett and threatened to quit the government if the demand is not met.
On Sunday evening, Netanyahu held a press conference and announced he intended to keep the defense portfolio for himself, leaving the ball in Bennett's court.
Earlier on Sunday, Shaked set an ultimatum for the prime minister: Security or elections. "At this point, the government is no longer a right-wing government, unfortunately," she said.
"The only justification for the continued existence of the government until November 2019 is for Bennett to carry out a revolution in security, give Israel back the deterrence that was lost under Lieberman over the past two years, and help to fix the serious crisis in trust in the defense establishment. We must go to elections as soon as possible to establish a new right-wing government, headed by Netanyahu, with Bayit Yehudi being the strong party to his right, so we could finally vote Right and get Right."
However, sources close to Netanyahu said the prime minister was not willing to capitulate to Bennett's demands. Senior Likud officials, meanwhile, said Netanyahu didn't rule out giving Bennett the defense portfolio in the future, but he first wanted the education minister to stay in the government without conditions.
Netanyahu met with Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon on Sunday evening in an effort to convince him to remain in the government.
Following this meeting, Netanyahu announced he would keep the defense portfolio, prompting Bennett and Shaked to announce a press conference at 10:30am on Monday.
Bennett spoke to political officials in the coalition on Sunday evening, telling them he plans to resign following Netanyahu's decision not to appoint him defense minister. According to those officials, Bennett intends to vote in favor of the Knesset's dissolution on Wednesday "as a member of Knesset and not as a minister."
Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel, a member of the Tkuma faction inside Bayit Yehudi, said Monday morning that he and fellow MK Bezalel Smotrich supported Bennett's demand for the defense portfolio, adding that if Bennett decides to resign from the government, his faction will hold a special discussion to decide whether to join the Bayit Yehudi leader's move.
Tourism Minister Yariv Levin, a close associate of Netanyahu, held talks with members of Kahlon's party Kulanu and Bennett's party Bayit Yehudi on Sunday, telling them that "dissolving the government would be an irresponsible act, both on the security level and by bringing down a right-wing government."
Meanwhile, Netanyahu is expected to announce the appointment of ministers in the coming days. With the prime minister deciding to keep the defense portfolio, he will have to give up the Foreign Affairs Ministry. He has promised it to two ministers: Gilad Erdan and Yisrael Katz. But in an effort to avoid a clash between the two ministers, he's leaning towards a third candidate: Yuval Steinitz.
As for the Immigration Absorption Ministry vacated by Yisrael Beytenu member Sofa Landver, Netanyahu is considering giving it to Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely, to whom the prime minister reportedly promised an upgrade to minister at the first chance he gets.
17 nov 2018
Four Special Rapporteurs express ‘deep concern’ that Nation-State Law is ‘discriminatory in nature and in practice against non-Jewish citizens and other minorities and does not apply the principle of equality between citizens, which is one of the key principles for democratic political systems.’
Following a special request for action issued by Adalah [pdf]– The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, four United Nations special rapporteurs have given Israel a 60-day deadline to respond to their grave concerns regarding the Jewish Nation-State Law, adopted by the Knesset on 19 July, 2018.
The 60-day period began on 2 November, 2018, when UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights Karima Bennoune, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, Michael Lynk, Special Rapporteur on minority issues Fernand de Varennes, and Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance E. Tendayi Achiume sent a communique to Israeli authorities [pdf] expressing their deep concerns regarding the impact of the new law.
In their letter, the special rapporteurs expressed “deep concern” that the Israeli Basic Law appears “to be discriminatory in nature and in practice against non-Jewish citizens and other minorities and does not apply the principle of equality between citizens, which is one of the key principles for democratic political systems.”
Click here for info about the Jewish Nation-State Law.
Following a special request for action issued by Adalah [pdf]– The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, four United Nations special rapporteurs have given Israel a 60-day deadline to respond to their grave concerns regarding the Jewish Nation-State Law, adopted by the Knesset on 19 July, 2018.
The 60-day period began on 2 November, 2018, when UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights Karima Bennoune, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, Michael Lynk, Special Rapporteur on minority issues Fernand de Varennes, and Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance E. Tendayi Achiume sent a communique to Israeli authorities [pdf] expressing their deep concerns regarding the impact of the new law.
In their letter, the special rapporteurs expressed “deep concern” that the Israeli Basic Law appears “to be discriminatory in nature and in practice against non-Jewish citizens and other minorities and does not apply the principle of equality between citizens, which is one of the key principles for democratic political systems.”
Click here for info about the Jewish Nation-State Law.
16 nov 2018
The Kuwaiti authorities deported Israeli blogger Ben Tzion after he was apprehended as he was touring the place where the 43rd Kuwait International Book Fair was held.
The book exhibition was organized this year under the slogan "Jerusalem, the eternal capital of Palestine."
According to the Kuwaiti newspaper al-Qabas, an Israeli wearing a Jewish cap (Kippah) was found touring the Book Fair in Kuwait before the police identified him as Ben Tzion and decided to banish him from the country.
Ben Tzion entered the country with a US passport, which he had already used it to enter several Arab states, including Saudi Arabia.
The book exhibition was organized this year under the slogan "Jerusalem, the eternal capital of Palestine."
According to the Kuwaiti newspaper al-Qabas, an Israeli wearing a Jewish cap (Kippah) was found touring the Book Fair in Kuwait before the police identified him as Ben Tzion and decided to banish him from the country.
Ben Tzion entered the country with a US passport, which he had already used it to enter several Arab states, including Saudi Arabia.
15 nov 2018
Hanegbi and Netanyahu
Minister Tzachi Hanegbi says over 460 rockets fired from Gaza at southern Israel were a 'minor' response to the botched IDF mission in the strip, noting there is a difference between attacking the South and attacking Tel Aviv; Netanyahu rejects statement.
Regional Cooperation Minister Tzachi Hanegbi came under fire on Thursday after calling the over 460 rockets fired from Gaza at southern Israel this week "minor," noting there is a difference between attacking the South and attacking Tel Aviv. Hanegbi’s comments drew widespread condemnation, including from the prime minister.
"Hamas responded (to the botch IDF mission in Gaza on Sunday) in a measured manner and attacked only the Gaza border area. There's a difference between the border area and Tel Aviv, the economic capital of Israel. Hamas's attack was minor, because (rocket) fire at Tel Aviv has different ramifications," Hanegbi said in an interview with Army Radio.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quick to disavow Hanegbi's comment. "I completely reject the statement that there is a distinction made between the border area and Tel Aviv. Hamas's aggression is not 'minor,' and there is no distinction made between Hamas's (rocket) fire at southern Israel's communities and fire at any other area in the State of Israel," he said.
Later, Hanegbi apologized and clarified his comments, saying in a statement: "I've never made a distinction between the lives of residents in the border area and the lives of the residents of Tel Aviv, and if this is what my comments were taken to mean, I regret that."
"What I meant in my comments from this morning was that a wide-scale campaign in Gaza would necessarily lead to many casualties among our soldiers, massive fire on Tel Aviv, serious economic damage, harm the aerial movement to Israel, and to consequences on the economy and on tourism," he continued.
"At the end of the campaign, we could have found ourselves at the exact same place we are today, and so we preferred to reach a long-term calm, as possible as that may be, without escalation, for the sake of both the residents of the south and the residents of the rest of the country," Hanegbi went on to say.
In his interview with Army Radio, Hanegbi explained that the prime minister, the Security Cabinet ministers and the heads of the defense establishment "all thought we ought to put an end to the violence in Gaza. We had two ways: one was (resigning Defense Minister) Lieberman's way, who proposed a 'serious blow' (against Hamas), while the other was an arrangement. We're in the midst of the first stage of the second option."
Explaining why the Cabinet decided to agree to a ceasefire in Gaza and continue with the implementation of the Egyptian-mediated arrangement with Hamas, Hanegbi said "a serious blow means entering a long campaign, in which every day for weeks, and perhaps longer, Tel Aviv would be paralyzed with hundreds of rockets, which we will have no way of stopping without sending our soldiers into every nook and cranny in Gaza.
Ben-Gurion Airport would be paralyzed for weeks, and this would affect the economy and tourism. There are no wars without a cost. And those who don't wish to pay the price must find alternatives."
He added that Hamas "had a reason to seek revenge" after the IDF Special Forces mission inside Gaza, which led to the death of a senior IDF officer, adding Hamas "with 470 rockets only managed to kill a Palestinian."
The prime minister was not the only member of Hanegbi's own Likud party to slam his comments. Social Equality Minister Gila Gamliel told Ynet that his statement was "particularly unfortunate."
"I'm a bit surprised by Minister Hanegbi, but there is no doubt this isn't the government's policy; I don't agree with it at all, and it's safe to assume neither does the government. He needs to recant his statement, there's no doubt," Gamliel added.
Culture Minister Miri Regev, also of the Likud Party, wrote on Twitter: "Tzachi Hanegbi, my friend, you have erred. Your comment was inappropriate. Any fire that endangers the well-being and security of the citizens of Israel, in any place, must be met with a severe and identical response."
Criticism also came from the other side of the aisle, with Opposition leader Tzipi Livni calling Hanegbi's comment "outrageous," and Zionist Union leader Avi Gabbay calling on the government to disperse.
"According to Tzachi Hanegbi, Hamas must not shoot at Tel Aviv residents, but it's okay to shoot at the south's residents. According to the government, it's impossible to protect the residents of the south," Gabbay charged.
Minister Tzachi Hanegbi says over 460 rockets fired from Gaza at southern Israel were a 'minor' response to the botched IDF mission in the strip, noting there is a difference between attacking the South and attacking Tel Aviv; Netanyahu rejects statement.
Regional Cooperation Minister Tzachi Hanegbi came under fire on Thursday after calling the over 460 rockets fired from Gaza at southern Israel this week "minor," noting there is a difference between attacking the South and attacking Tel Aviv. Hanegbi’s comments drew widespread condemnation, including from the prime minister.
"Hamas responded (to the botch IDF mission in Gaza on Sunday) in a measured manner and attacked only the Gaza border area. There's a difference between the border area and Tel Aviv, the economic capital of Israel. Hamas's attack was minor, because (rocket) fire at Tel Aviv has different ramifications," Hanegbi said in an interview with Army Radio.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quick to disavow Hanegbi's comment. "I completely reject the statement that there is a distinction made between the border area and Tel Aviv. Hamas's aggression is not 'minor,' and there is no distinction made between Hamas's (rocket) fire at southern Israel's communities and fire at any other area in the State of Israel," he said.
Later, Hanegbi apologized and clarified his comments, saying in a statement: "I've never made a distinction between the lives of residents in the border area and the lives of the residents of Tel Aviv, and if this is what my comments were taken to mean, I regret that."
"What I meant in my comments from this morning was that a wide-scale campaign in Gaza would necessarily lead to many casualties among our soldiers, massive fire on Tel Aviv, serious economic damage, harm the aerial movement to Israel, and to consequences on the economy and on tourism," he continued.
"At the end of the campaign, we could have found ourselves at the exact same place we are today, and so we preferred to reach a long-term calm, as possible as that may be, without escalation, for the sake of both the residents of the south and the residents of the rest of the country," Hanegbi went on to say.
In his interview with Army Radio, Hanegbi explained that the prime minister, the Security Cabinet ministers and the heads of the defense establishment "all thought we ought to put an end to the violence in Gaza. We had two ways: one was (resigning Defense Minister) Lieberman's way, who proposed a 'serious blow' (against Hamas), while the other was an arrangement. We're in the midst of the first stage of the second option."
Explaining why the Cabinet decided to agree to a ceasefire in Gaza and continue with the implementation of the Egyptian-mediated arrangement with Hamas, Hanegbi said "a serious blow means entering a long campaign, in which every day for weeks, and perhaps longer, Tel Aviv would be paralyzed with hundreds of rockets, which we will have no way of stopping without sending our soldiers into every nook and cranny in Gaza.
Ben-Gurion Airport would be paralyzed for weeks, and this would affect the economy and tourism. There are no wars without a cost. And those who don't wish to pay the price must find alternatives."
He added that Hamas "had a reason to seek revenge" after the IDF Special Forces mission inside Gaza, which led to the death of a senior IDF officer, adding Hamas "with 470 rockets only managed to kill a Palestinian."
The prime minister was not the only member of Hanegbi's own Likud party to slam his comments. Social Equality Minister Gila Gamliel told Ynet that his statement was "particularly unfortunate."
"I'm a bit surprised by Minister Hanegbi, but there is no doubt this isn't the government's policy; I don't agree with it at all, and it's safe to assume neither does the government. He needs to recant his statement, there's no doubt," Gamliel added.
Culture Minister Miri Regev, also of the Likud Party, wrote on Twitter: "Tzachi Hanegbi, my friend, you have erred. Your comment was inappropriate. Any fire that endangers the well-being and security of the citizens of Israel, in any place, must be met with a severe and identical response."
Criticism also came from the other side of the aisle, with Opposition leader Tzipi Livni calling Hanegbi's comment "outrageous," and Zionist Union leader Avi Gabbay calling on the government to disperse.
"According to Tzachi Hanegbi, Hamas must not shoot at Tel Aviv residents, but it's okay to shoot at the south's residents. According to the government, it's impossible to protect the residents of the south," Gabbay charged.
65% of the Israeli public is extremely dissatisfied with the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's performance in the most recent confrontation with Hamas in Gaza, according to a recent poll.
In the poll, which was conducted following an armistice between Israel and the Palestinian resistance, 57% of respondents also expressed dissatisfaction with Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman’s performance.
A bit less than half, 49%, said Hamas won the latest round of hostilities with the Israeli military.
64% said they believe Israel should have kept up offensives on Gaza and backtracked on the ceasefire. Only 21% agreed to the truce.
In the poll, which was conducted following an armistice between Israel and the Palestinian resistance, 57% of respondents also expressed dissatisfaction with Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman’s performance.
A bit less than half, 49%, said Hamas won the latest round of hostilities with the Israeli military.
64% said they believe Israel should have kept up offensives on Gaza and backtracked on the ceasefire. Only 21% agreed to the truce.
14 nov 2018
Israeli ambassador Danny Danon slams 'morally bankrupt' countries blaming Israel for latest round of fighting with Hamas in Gaza, rejects calls for restraint on both sides: 'Hamas attacks and fires over 460 rockets at civilians, and Israel protects its people.'
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon played the Code Red rocket-alert siren during a meeting of the United Nations Security Council Tuesday in an effort to demonstrate what Israelis living in border communities have to contend with when Hamas launches barrages of rockets at Israel.
The Security Council met behind closed doors to discuss the escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip, but diplomats said there was no agreement on how to address the crisis.
Kuwait and Bolivia requested the meeting following the worst flare-up in Gaza since the 2014 Operation Protective Edge.
Speaking at the meeting, Danon slammed Security Council members who put the blame on Israel for the latest fighting with Hamas in Gaza, calling them "morally bankrupt." He also rejected calls for restraint on both sides, dubbing it "hypocrisy."
"There is no such thing as both sides," the Israeli envoy told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York. "There is Hamas that attacks and fires over 460 rockets at civilians, and there is Israel that protects its people."
When asked about the botched IDF mission that sparked the Hamas attacks and Israeli bombing of Gaza, Danon insisted, "We take action to protect our people, and we will continue to do that." (“Seven Palestinians, One Israeli Undercover Soldier, Killed In Gaza”)
"Every time Hamas fires a rocket, children, adults, and families across the country are running in fear to bomb shelters. The Security Council should condemn Hamas for its aggressive assault on civilians and declare it once and for all a terror organization," Danon said.
"Israel has cooperated with the UN to improve the conditions in the strip. However, the rampant escalation in Gaza proves there are elements that push for another round of fighting," he added.
"Hamas uses Gaza's residents as human shields.... The State of Israel will respond with force to those acting against it, and they will feel the IDF's might day and night," the Israeli ambassador warned.
Kuwaiti Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi said that the majority of council members believe the top UN body "should do something" and some suggested a visit to the region, but no decision was taken.
Hamas and Islamic Jihad have fired more than 460 rockets into Israel since Monday night, which claimed the life of one man in Ashkelon, while Israeli aircraft have hit 160 targets belonging to the terror organizations in response. The warring sides have since agreed to a ceasefire.
Speaking to reporters after the 50-minute meeting, Palestinian UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour said the council was "paralyzed" and had "failed to shoulder its responsibility" for the situation in Gaza by lack of action to end the violence.
"There is one country that is not allowing discussion at the council," Mansour said in reference to the US, which has taken a pro-Israeli stance led by President Donald Trump.
There was no statement from the council on the crisis. Such statements are agreed by consensus by all 15 council members.
Seven Palestinians were killed in Gaza as the Israeli Air Force (IAF) struck terror targets, flattening buildings and destroying Hamas infrastructure.
The latest round of violence began late Sunday with a botched Israeli special forces operation inside the Gaza Strip, during which IDF Lt. Col. M was killed and another officer was moderately wounded in a fire exchange that erupted between the army and Hamas.
The Palestinians responded with rocket and mortar fire. A 19 year-old IDF soldier was critically wounded after a Cornet anti-tank missile struck a bus near the Gaza border.
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon played the Code Red rocket-alert siren during a meeting of the United Nations Security Council Tuesday in an effort to demonstrate what Israelis living in border communities have to contend with when Hamas launches barrages of rockets at Israel.
The Security Council met behind closed doors to discuss the escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip, but diplomats said there was no agreement on how to address the crisis.
Kuwait and Bolivia requested the meeting following the worst flare-up in Gaza since the 2014 Operation Protective Edge.
Speaking at the meeting, Danon slammed Security Council members who put the blame on Israel for the latest fighting with Hamas in Gaza, calling them "morally bankrupt." He also rejected calls for restraint on both sides, dubbing it "hypocrisy."
"There is no such thing as both sides," the Israeli envoy told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York. "There is Hamas that attacks and fires over 460 rockets at civilians, and there is Israel that protects its people."
When asked about the botched IDF mission that sparked the Hamas attacks and Israeli bombing of Gaza, Danon insisted, "We take action to protect our people, and we will continue to do that." (“Seven Palestinians, One Israeli Undercover Soldier, Killed In Gaza”)
"Every time Hamas fires a rocket, children, adults, and families across the country are running in fear to bomb shelters. The Security Council should condemn Hamas for its aggressive assault on civilians and declare it once and for all a terror organization," Danon said.
"Israel has cooperated with the UN to improve the conditions in the strip. However, the rampant escalation in Gaza proves there are elements that push for another round of fighting," he added.
"Hamas uses Gaza's residents as human shields.... The State of Israel will respond with force to those acting against it, and they will feel the IDF's might day and night," the Israeli ambassador warned.
Kuwaiti Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi said that the majority of council members believe the top UN body "should do something" and some suggested a visit to the region, but no decision was taken.
Hamas and Islamic Jihad have fired more than 460 rockets into Israel since Monday night, which claimed the life of one man in Ashkelon, while Israeli aircraft have hit 160 targets belonging to the terror organizations in response. The warring sides have since agreed to a ceasefire.
Speaking to reporters after the 50-minute meeting, Palestinian UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour said the council was "paralyzed" and had "failed to shoulder its responsibility" for the situation in Gaza by lack of action to end the violence.
"There is one country that is not allowing discussion at the council," Mansour said in reference to the US, which has taken a pro-Israeli stance led by President Donald Trump.
There was no statement from the council on the crisis. Such statements are agreed by consensus by all 15 council members.
Seven Palestinians were killed in Gaza as the Israeli Air Force (IAF) struck terror targets, flattening buildings and destroying Hamas infrastructure.
The latest round of violence began late Sunday with a botched Israeli special forces operation inside the Gaza Strip, during which IDF Lt. Col. M was killed and another officer was moderately wounded in a fire exchange that erupted between the army and Hamas.
The Palestinians responded with rocket and mortar fire. A 19 year-old IDF soldier was critically wounded after a Cornet anti-tank missile struck a bus near the Gaza border.
In protest of Gaza ceasefire and efforts to reach an arrangement with Hamas, Defense Minister Lieberman resigns and quits the government; Israel is 'buying short-term quiet at the cost of serious damage to national security on the long term,' he charges.
Avigdor Lieberman resigned from his post as defense minister on Wednesday in protest of the latest ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, criticizing it as "surrender to terrorism."
"The question being asked is why now. As far as I'm concerned, the ceasefire yesterday, along with the entire process of reaching an arrangement with Hamas, means surrendering to terrorism," Lieberman said at during a special meeting of his Yisrael Beytenu faction.
He also urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to call early elections as soon as possible.
Lieberman charged that in negotiating with Hamas, Israel was "buying short-term quiet at the cost of serious damage to national security on the long term."
"It's no secret there have been disagreements between the prime minister and myself in recent months," he said. "I'll mention allowing in (to Gaza) Qatari-funded fuel, which I thought was a mistake. It was only after the prime minister issued a written order that I had to allow the Qatari-funded fuel into the strip."
Lieberman's resignation will come into effect within 48 hours. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to take on the defense minister's job until further notice.
Immigration and Absorption Minister Sofa Landver, who is a member of Lieberman's party, is also expected to tend in her resignation from the government.
A senior Likud official said that Lieberman's resignation "doesn't necessarily mean calling early elections at a time of such a sensitive security situation. The government can live out its days."
Hamas rejoiced at Lieberman's resignation, saying he is "admitting defeat and acknowledging his inability to handle the Palestinian resistance."
"This is a political victory for Gaza, which succeeded in standing strong and causing a political earthquake in Israel," Hamas added in a statement.
Islamic Jihad also saw the resignation as "a victory to our people's steadfast resistance to the occupation."
Avigdor Lieberman resigned from his post as defense minister on Wednesday in protest of the latest ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, criticizing it as "surrender to terrorism."
"The question being asked is why now. As far as I'm concerned, the ceasefire yesterday, along with the entire process of reaching an arrangement with Hamas, means surrendering to terrorism," Lieberman said at during a special meeting of his Yisrael Beytenu faction.
He also urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to call early elections as soon as possible.
Lieberman charged that in negotiating with Hamas, Israel was "buying short-term quiet at the cost of serious damage to national security on the long term."
"It's no secret there have been disagreements between the prime minister and myself in recent months," he said. "I'll mention allowing in (to Gaza) Qatari-funded fuel, which I thought was a mistake. It was only after the prime minister issued a written order that I had to allow the Qatari-funded fuel into the strip."
Lieberman's resignation will come into effect within 48 hours. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to take on the defense minister's job until further notice.
Immigration and Absorption Minister Sofa Landver, who is a member of Lieberman's party, is also expected to tend in her resignation from the government.
A senior Likud official said that Lieberman's resignation "doesn't necessarily mean calling early elections at a time of such a sensitive security situation. The government can live out its days."
Hamas rejoiced at Lieberman's resignation, saying he is "admitting defeat and acknowledging his inability to handle the Palestinian resistance."
"This is a political victory for Gaza, which succeeded in standing strong and causing a political earthquake in Israel," Hamas added in a statement.
Islamic Jihad also saw the resignation as "a victory to our people's steadfast resistance to the occupation."
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