Israeli cabinet approves new hard-line defense minister

The Israeli cabinet approved Monday the hard-line lawmaker Avigdor Lieberman as defense minister, as his ultranationalist Yisrael Beytenu ("Israel Our Home") party joined the ruling coalition.

A statement by the Prime Minister's Office said that the cabinet "unanimously" voted in favor of Lieberman's appointment as well as the appointment of his colleague, Sofa Landver, as the immigrant absorption minister.

The Knesset (parliament) is expected to approve the change before Lieberman and Landver are sworn in to their new positions.

The move will increase the advantage of Netanyahu's coalition over the opposition from a razor-thin 61-59 lead to 66-54.

The new right-wing coalition passed its first hurdle after Naftali Bennett, leader of the religious nationalist Jewish Home party threatened to block the expansion by voting against it in the Knesset.

A settlement was found overnight, paving the way for the vote on Monday morning.

Under his new position, Lieberman will be in charge of implementing Israel's policy in the occupied West Bank.

The appointment of Lieberman to the sensitive post sparked condemnations and concerns in Israel and abroad, as he is seen as one of the most polarizing politicians in Israel.

U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said last week that the new government, widely described as the most right-wing coalition in Israel's history, "raises legitimate questions" about its commitment to finding a peaceful solution with the Palestinians. Endit