Here comes Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman

Posted By Blake Hounshell Sunday, March 15, 2009 - 10:04 PM Share

Haaretz and the BBC are reporting that Benjamin Netanyahu and Avigdor Lieberman have reached a deal wherein the far-right politician will become Israel's foreign minister.

If so, you can kiss the peace process goodbye for a while, if it is not gone for good. Israel's international standing is going to take a major nosedive.

Already, EU foreign affairs chief Javier Solana has warned that the way "the European Union will relate to an (Israeli) government that is not committed to a two-state solution will be very, very different."

Lieberman's party, Yisrael Beitenu, is getting five additional cabinet slots, including internal security.

EXPLORE:ISRAEL/PALESTINE
 

DEFARBER

6:26 AM ET

March 16, 2009

We can only pray that

We can only pray that Netanyahu is trying to push Livni and Barak into a corner in order to force them to agree to a national unity government. At some point Livni has to realize that political expediency must give way to responsible action. I hope she averts certain harm to the image and standing of the State of Israel and accepts a deal with Netanyahu's Likud party.

Avigdor Lieberman is an extremely unfortunate choice for foreign minister who will no doubt derail any Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts for years to come. As an advocate for and supporter of the State of Israel I am shocked and appalled that this man may represent Israel's interests in the international arena.

 

PAPICEK

6:55 AM ET

March 16, 2009

That's about the worst news...

I've heard in quite awhile. I don't know him all that well, but from what I can see, the man's not fully rational. An ex-bar bouncer. Now I'm depressed.

 

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