CHAIRMAN: DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: PROF. KHALID MUBARAK AL-SHAFI

World / Middle East

New Israeli government threat to regional stability: Palestinians

Published: 25 May 2016 - 01:01 pm | Last Updated: 09 Nov 2021 - 05:00 pm
Peninsula

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and Avigdor Lieberman (L), the head of hardline nationalist party Yisrael Beitenu, are seen during a ceremony in which they signed a coalition agreement on May 25, 2016 at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem. AFP / MENAHEM KAHANA

 

Ramallah, Palestinian Territories: The appointment of a hardline right-winger as Israel's defence minister represents a "real threat" to regional stability, a senior Palestinian official said on Wednesday.

"The existence of this government brings a real threat of instability and extremism in the region," Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat said, adding that the appointment would "result in apartheid, racism and religious and political extremism."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Wednesday that Jewish settler Avigdor Lieberman would take over as defence minister.

AFP