This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israeli-politician-avigdor-lieberman-in-line-to-be-defence-minister-calls-for-disloyal-israeli-arabs-a7039061.html
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Israeli politician in line to be defence minister called for 'disloyal' Israeli Arabs to be beheaded | Israeli politician in line to be defence minister called for 'disloyal' Israeli Arabs to be beheaded |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The man reportedly offered the role of Israeli Defence Minister has called for "disloyal" Arabic citizens of Israel to be beheaded. | The man reportedly offered the role of Israeli Defence Minister has called for "disloyal" Arabic citizens of Israel to be beheaded. |
Avigdor Lieberman, who has previously served as Foreign Minister between 2009 and 2012 and 2013 to 2015, leads the ultra-nationalist Yisrael Beiteinu party and has been described by some academics as a "far-right extremist". | |
The controversial cabinet move follows the resignation of his predecessor, Moshe Yaalon, who said he "no longer had faith" in Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. | The controversial cabinet move follows the resignation of his predecessor, Moshe Yaalon, who said he "no longer had faith" in Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. |
Mr Lieberman, who lives in an illegal settlement in the occupied West Bank, said of Arabs in Israel in a 2015 election campaign speech: "Those who are with us deserve everything. Those against us, it cannot be helped, we must lift up an axe and behead them - otherwise we will not survive here." | Mr Lieberman, who lives in an illegal settlement in the occupied West Bank, said of Arabs in Israel in a 2015 election campaign speech: "Those who are with us deserve everything. Those against us, it cannot be helped, we must lift up an axe and behead them - otherwise we will not survive here." |
While Foreign Minister, he called for financial incentives for Israeli Arab citizens to leave the country into a future Palestinian state. | While Foreign Minister, he called for financial incentives for Israeli Arab citizens to leave the country into a future Palestinian state. |
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly offered him the choice of becoming the Minister of Defence or Minister of Immigration Absorption, Ynet News said. | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly offered him the choice of becoming the Minister of Defence or Minister of Immigration Absorption, Ynet News said. |
Mr Lieberman had initially refused to serve in the current right-wing government in 2015 due to it not being "nationalist" enough. | Mr Lieberman had initially refused to serve in the current right-wing government in 2015 due to it not being "nationalist" enough. |
Professor Juan Cole from the University of Michigan, an expert on Middle Eastern politics, described him as a "far-right extremist", telling the Salon: "There is no European cabinet minister who comes close to Lieberman’s far, far right positions, and if there were he or she would be boycotted by the other Europeans." | Professor Juan Cole from the University of Michigan, an expert on Middle Eastern politics, described him as a "far-right extremist", telling the Salon: "There is no European cabinet minister who comes close to Lieberman’s far, far right positions, and if there were he or she would be boycotted by the other Europeans." |
He added that in his opinion the current politics of the Israeli government has no real comparison other than in Hungary's neo-fascist party. | He added that in his opinion the current politics of the Israeli government has no real comparison other than in Hungary's neo-fascist party. |
The Independent has contacted Mr Lieberman for comment. | The Independent has contacted Mr Lieberman for comment. |
Previous version
1
Next version