Ariel Sharon, the Prime Minister of Israel, who is trying to repair his coalition government following the Labor Party's exit, met with retired General Shaul Mofaz, the new Defense Minister. On Thursday, Sharon offered the position of Defense Minister to Mofaz, who is considered an extremist and was previously the Chief of Staff of the Israeli Army, and he promptly accepted it in principle. Mofaz is expected to respond within a few days. If the Israeli parliament approves this appointment on Monday, he will succeed Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, the leader of the Labor Party and Defense Minister. Ben-Eliezer and other Labor Party ministers resigned on Wednesday in protest against the increased funding for Jewish settlements in the occupied territories.
Ariel Sharon and Shaul Mofaz Meet - 2002-11-01
Ariel Sharon has appointed Shaul Mofaz as the new Defense Minister of Israel following the resignation of the Labor Party from the coalition government. Mofaz, a former Chief of Staff and considered an extremist, accepted the position, which is pending parliamentary approval. This shift in leadership is significant amidst ongoing tensions regarding funding for Jewish settlements in occupied territories.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Ariel Sharon appointed Shaul Mofaz as the new Defense Minister of Israel after the Labor Party resigned from the coalition government. Mofaz, a former Chief of Staff, accepted the position pending parliamentary approval.
- The Labor Party's resignation was in protest against increased funding for Jewish settlements in occupied territories.
- Mofaz is considered an extremist and his appointment signals a shift towards a more hardline defense policy.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been characterized by disputes over land, settlements, and security, with various political factions influencing policy decisions.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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Translation confidence: 85%