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Israel's new defence minister frightens left, praised by right

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reached a deal with a hardline nationalist party to join his coalition, forming what is being called the "most right-wing government in the nation's history".

Avigdor Lieberman, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel, during a press conference in Jerusalem on December 2, 2014.
Avigdor Lieberman, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel, during a press conference in Jerusalem on December 2, 2014. Reuters/ Ronen Zvulun
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Analysis of Lieberman's appointment as Israeli Defence Minister

Karen Burke

Former foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman is now set to become Israel's defence minister.

Lieberman, and his Yisrael Beitenu party, will add five lawmakers to Netanyahu's previously wafer-thin majority if the coalition deal is given parliamentary approval, as expected.

"It's a fantastic move on Netanyahu's part and it only proves once again that there's no one even close to rivalling him," said Hillel Frisch, an Israeli political scientist based in Tel Aviv.

"I would say his stature in Israeli politics might even surpass the founder of the Israeli state, David Ben-Gurion. The international community better realise that it's going to have to deal with Netanyahu for a couple of years on. The Israeli political system is not producing would-be leaders."

Members of the Israeli political establishment, including from Netanyahu's own Likud party, have expressed their apprehension at Lieberman's appointment.

An article published in the left-wing newspaper Haaretz bills Lieberman as "the new Kahane” - a reference to the founding father of Israel’s far-right Jewish Defence League in the US and Israel's ultranationalist Kach party.

Right-wingers claim critics hysterical

But Efraim Inbar, director of the conservative Zionist organisation the Begin Sadat Center for Stratgic Studies told RFI: "The hysteria around the Lieberman appointment is greatly exaggerated. After all he is a pragmatist and he will not run alone the Israeli military. Some people have reacted very angrily and with great concern and I think they should play it cool."

Finanicial incentives are also being given as an explanation for Netanyahu's decision. Lieberman secured 3.2 billion euros over four years in pensions for elderly Israelis, as well as 35 million euros to rehabilitate neighbourhoods and expand public housing.

Palestinians, peace campaigners worried

However, some Israelis are worried that Lieberman will be detrimental to the peace process.

"We know that Lieberman has a history of racist demands regarding our citizens of Israel," said Yariv Mohar from Rabbis for Human Rights in Israel.

Netanyahu has been seeking to expand his coalition since last year's general election, when he formed a government with just 61 seats in the 120-seat parliament.

Lieberman's appointment has also been criticised by the Palestine Liberation Organisation.

"Having a settler as the minister in charge of the Israeli occupation says it all," said Xavier Abu Eid, an adviser to the PLO. "That's official Israeli position."

Lieberman, who will be responsible for administering policy in the occupied Palestinian territories, has said he supports the death penalty for perpetrators of anti-Israeli attacks.

Netanyahu had previously tried to bring the left-wing opposition into a unity government but in the end negotiations broke down.

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