Israel defence minister says resigning after Gaza ceasefire
Lieberman, a security hardliner heads right-wing Yisrael Beitenu party which holds five seats in 120-seat parliament
Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman, seen here during a visit to the annexed Golan Heights in September 2018, has announced his resignation and called for early elections after a sharp disagreement over a Gaza ceasefire deal. PHOTO AFP
JERUSALEM:
Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman announced his resignation on Wednesday and called for early elections after a sharp disagreement over a Gaza ceasefire deal, throwing the government into turmoil.
"What happened yesterday – the truce combined with the process with Hamas — is capitulating to terror. It has no other meaning," Lieberman told journalists in explaining his reasons for resigning.
"What we're doing now as a state is buying short-term quiet, with the price being severe long-term damage to national security."
He added later: "We should agree on a date for elections as early as possible."
Gaza ceasefire holds but Israel government in turmoil
Lieberman also said his party was leaving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition, leaving the premier with only a one-seat majority in parliament.
Elections are not due until November 2019, but Lieberman's resignation increases the likelihood of an earlier vote.
Lieberman, a security hardliner, heads the right-wing Yisrael Beitenu party, which holds five seats in the 120-seat Knesset, or parliament.
Netanyahu has defended Tuesday's ceasefire deal that ended the worst escalation between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza since a 2014 war.
Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman announced his resignation on Wednesday and called for early elections after a sharp disagreement over a Gaza ceasefire deal, throwing the government into turmoil.
"What happened yesterday – the truce combined with the process with Hamas — is capitulating to terror. It has no other meaning," Lieberman told journalists in explaining his reasons for resigning.
"What we're doing now as a state is buying short-term quiet, with the price being severe long-term damage to national security."
He added later: "We should agree on a date for elections as early as possible."
Gaza ceasefire holds but Israel government in turmoil
Lieberman also said his party was leaving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition, leaving the premier with only a one-seat majority in parliament.
Elections are not due until November 2019, but Lieberman's resignation increases the likelihood of an earlier vote.
Lieberman, a security hardliner, heads the right-wing Yisrael Beitenu party, which holds five seats in the 120-seat Knesset, or parliament.
Netanyahu has defended Tuesday's ceasefire deal that ended the worst escalation between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza since a 2014 war.