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Israeli PM appoints hawkish associate as foreign ministry chief

Xinhua, May 25, 2015 Adjust font size:

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday his appointment of right-wing associate Dore Gold as director-general of the Foreign Ministry.

Earlier on Monday, Netanyahu fired Nissim Ben-Shitrit, who was appointed to be the chief of the office by former Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman.

Netanyahu is set to bring Gold's appointment to the approval of his cabinet on Tuesday, according to a statement from his office.

Dore Gold, 62, has served in various posts during his career. He was Israel's envoy to the United Nations between 1997 and 1999, the president of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs and used to be Netanyahu's political adviser.

He had also served as an external adviser for Netanyahu by the end of 2013, specifically regarding the relationship between Israel and the United States.

Gold is known for his right-wing stance and objecting to the two-state solution to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Last week, Israeli media reported that Netanyahu has appointed new Interior Minister Silvan Shalom and veteran Likud politician Silvan Shalom as Israel's chief negotiator with the Palestinians.

This post was previously filled by dovish Justice Minister Tzipi Livni (now from the Zionist Union), whereas Shalom is more right-wing in his perceptions. Endit