Pines: A joke
צילום: עופר עמרם
Pines: Lieberman strategic threat
Labor minister shows his discontent from impending Lieberman government post; says he will do everything he can to prevent him from joining coalition. MK Yacimovich: 'Sitting with Lieberman – complete capitulation'
Minister of Science and Technology, Culture and Sport Ophir Pines-Paz (Labor), said in reaction to the impending entry of Avigdor Lieberman (Israel Our Home) into the government, that the idea of a minister for strategic affairs is 'nonsense.'
"A minister of strategic affairs is a joke. Lieberman is himself a strategic threat," he said.
"I will do everything in my power to prevent the entry of that party into the government. I hope the prime minister understands that without the Labor party in the government he does not have the support 61 Knesset members.
Pines, who spoke Monday while on an official visit to China, has decided to cut his trip short and return home Tuesday in light of the latest local political developments.
Now that Israel Our Home is on its way to join the coalition, the ball is in the hands of the Labor party. According to previous statements made by party officials, the decision whether to remain in the government or leave is now in the hands of the party's central committee.
MK Shelly Yacimovich said that sitting with Lieberman in the government means 'total capitulation to extreme right-wing ideology', and MK Dani Yatom said he will establish a committee which will concentrate efforts to exclude Israel Our Home from entering the coalition. Even Labor Chairman and Defense Minister Amir Peretz said he will thwart any effort to allow Lieberman to enter the government "because of fear for civil and human rights."
But not only Labor officials are against this marriage. Senior officials in the Likud have also criticized Lieberman and his party and said that in the long run, Lieberman will be seen as the one who saved the Olmert government and maybe even allowed the realignment program.
