Knesset approves first Arab minister
Raleb Majadele sworn in as minister without portfolio. Fifty-nine MKs vote in favor of appointment, 23 oppose. Minister Lieberman fails to arrive to meeting
The Knesset on Monday approved the appointment of Raleb Majadele as Israel's first Arab Muslim minister. Fifty-nine Knesset members voted in favor of the appointment, while 23 opposed. Two MKs abstained.
Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who voted against the appointment during Sunday's cabinet meeting, was absent from the voting.
After the he was sworn in, Majadele warmly shook the hands of several Knesset members who congratulated him, and then took his place at the government table.
MK Yoram Marciano (Labor) said, "On a day like this, when a terror attack unfortunately took place in Eilat, the Israeli government chose to appoint a first Arab minister. This conveys a message of peace to the world."
Meretz Chairman Yossi Beilin, who supported the appointment, said that "this is a very happy day. I have prayed for this for years. You are entering a government which refused to make peace with Syria and is not advancing the diplomatic process with the Palestinians."
MK Moshe Sharoni said, "We must thank the Labor Party for choosing to make Majadele a minister. Raleb will prove his loyalty to the State of Israel and its citizens."
Majadele's family members also arrived at the swearing in ceremony and did not conceal their excitement. Huda, the new minister's wife, told Ynet, "This is a very happy day for us. I am very proud of my husband for reaching this status."
On Sunday morning, the cabinet approved Majadele's appointment. He was first appointed as a minister without a portfolio and is expected to later receive control of either the Welfare Ministry or the Ministry of Science, Technology and Sports after Prime Minister Ehud Olmert completes an anticipated government reshuffle over the course of the next few weeks.
