Israel's defense chief decries government "loss of moral direction"

Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon on Thursday criticized what he described the government's "loss of moral direction."

The criticism came one day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly relieved Ya'alon of his duties as defense chief in favor of a hawkish legislator.

Netanyahu and Avigdor Lieberman's ultra-nationalist faction of Yisrael Beytenu, which translates to "Israel Our Home," were involved in intense negotiations on Thursday concerning the entry of the latter into the coalition.

If a deal is finalized, Lieberman will become defense minister, replacing Ya'alon.

In his first public remark on the reported decision, Ya'alon criticized the government's "loss of moral compass on basic ethical questions."

"We need to steer the country according to one's conscience and not whichever way the wind blows," Ya'alon was quoted as telling a Youth Movement conference in Tel Aviv's Kirya military headquarters.

Israeli media outlets say Netanyahu will offer Ya'alon the foreign affairs portfolio as a "consolation prize."

Netanyahu himself has served as foreign minister since establishing his government last May.

His Likud and Yisrael Beytenu negotiation teams met on Thursday morning following overnight talks.

Tourism Minister Yariv Levin, who heads Likud's negotiation team, told journalists at the meeting's start that the talks "are going well and we hope to finish things as quickly as possible."

The move is seen as part of Netanyahu's efforts to enlarge his 61-member coalition in Israel's 120-member parliament. Endit