Israeli Cabinet Approves Adding Ultra-Nationalist Party to Coalition
30 October 2006
The Israeli Cabinet has voted to include an ultra-nationalist party in the government, expanding the ruling coalition.
The Cabinet overwhelmingly approved the ministerial appointment of Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the Yisrael Beitenu party.
The move gives Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert a more stable majority in the Israeli parliament (Knesset). Mr. Olmert's ruling coalition now has 78 seats in the 120-seat chamber.
Lieberman is to be sworn in as a minister after parliament approves his appointment later Monday. He will serve as a deputy prime minister in charge of strategic threats facing Israel, and he will focus on Iran.
Israel's center-left Labor Party cleared the way for the expanded coalition on Sunday, when members voted to remain in the government even though it would include the far-right party.
Some Labor members had strongly objected to Lieberman as a coalition partner.
Lieberman has stirred controversy in Israel for making comments that critics say are anti-Arab. He has called for excluding Israeli Arab towns from Israel's final borders as part of a land swap with the Palestinians.
His party draws much of its support from Israel's large community of Soviet immigrants.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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