Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined forces on Wednesday with a hardline nationalist who is set to become defence minister, forming a government considered the most right-wing in the nation’s history.
Avigdor 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. Lieberman, who has spoken of harsh measures against Palestinian “terrorists”, will take over the key role of defence minister after being sworn in.
The two men, who have in the past been bitter rivals, announced the deal at a ceremony at parliament, with Lieberman pledging to be “balanced” and saying he was committed to “responsible, reasonable policy.” Netanyahu said that “we are joining hands now to march Israel forward.”
Read full article in The West Australian