Palestinians Express Concern Over Lieberman's Appointment as Israel's Defense Minister

Following the Israeli Prime Minister's decision to appoint Avigdor Lieberman, one of the country's most extreme politicians, to the Ministry of Defense, Palestinians expressed concern over the implications of this appointment, describing it as another sign of the lack of hope for peace with Israel. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry stated on Thursday, May 30, that 'Israel prefers extremism and settlements over peace... The evidence is that settlers and the most extremist elements in Israel have celebrated this proposal... This government has never been a partner for peace.' The Palestinian Foreign Ministry emphasized that these 'dramatic developments were not unexpected for those who follow the extremist actions of Netanyahu's government and its various decisions against Palestinians on a daily basis.' Avigdor Lieberman, leader of a far-right party in Israel, announced on Thursday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had offered him the post of Minister of Defense in the government. This selection faced severe criticism from opposition leaders. The Palestinian statement called on the international community to show 'political, moral, and legal responsibility' towards the Palestinian people and their rights. The statement from the Palestinian Foreign Ministry also noted: 'While France is working to hold a peace conference and the international community and the President of Egypt have expressed readiness to revive the peace process, Netanyahu has responded to these efforts with the dangerous action of appointing Lieberman as Minister of Defense.' Jean-Marc Ayrault, the French Foreign Minister, announced on Thursday that his country's political initiative to revive the Israeli-Palestinian peace process would begin in two weeks with a conference. France has initiated this plan while Benjamin Netanyahu rejected and opposed it during a meeting with the French Foreign Minister who visited Israel last Sunday. Meanwhile, Moshe Ya'alon, the second highest-ranking official in the ruling Likud party in Israel, announced on Friday, May 31, on his Twitter and Facebook that 'there is no longer any trust in Netanyahu and he is resigning from the government and the Knesset.' Israeli media reported that Ya'alon resigned from the government and the Knesset after Netanyahu, in a phone conversation the day before, refused to offer him any other position in place of the Ministry of Defense, which was taken from him. According to Israel Radio, this phone conversation lasted 'less than a minute.' Likud party politicians had previously stated that if the coalition of the ruling Likud party led by Netanyahu was finalized with the 'Israel, Our Home' party led by Lieberman, Netanyahu would have been 'willing' to give Ya'alon the position of Foreign Minister, which is currently vacant, to keep him in the government. Netanyahu reprimanded Ya'alon last Sunday after Ya'alon told military personnel to express their opinions, even if they did not align with the majority.