In a major blow to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s effort to build a coalition, foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman announced his resignation to join his secular, nationalist party with the opposition. Avigdor Lieberman said yesterday that he could not sit in the government after Netanyahu struck a series of deals with ultra-Orthodox partners.
Netanyahu has been trying to cobble together a majority coalition in the 120-seat parliament by a Wednesday deadline. Lieberman has served two terms as foreign minister and has been a key Netanyahu ally throughout the years. Without Yisrael Beitenu, Netanyahu is expected to have a slim majority of just 61 seats, leaving him susceptible to the demands of partners.
Last week, Netanyahu signed up his first two partners, the center-right Kulanu party, led by influential newcomer Moshe Kahlon, and the ultra-Orthodox party United Torah Judaism. The deal with the latter party reportedly includes concessions for those avoiding the country’s military draft for religious reasons.