BREAKING NEWS

Netanyahu calls talks of early elections 'irresponsible'

NOVEMBER 18, 2018 20:22

Updated: NOVEMBER 18, 2018 20:38

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he will keep the defense portfolio for himself in a televised address on Sunday.

"We are in one of the most complex national security situations," Netanyahu said. "It is irresponsible to resign or call elections in a time like this."

"There is no place for politics and personal matters in matters of national security," he added.

The position has reportedly become vacant after Netanyahu refused to give the defense minister portfolio to Minister of Education Naftali Bennett as well as Bayit Yehudi MK Eli Ben-Dahan, the former deputy defense minister.

Netanyahu's coalition threatened to trigger an early election when Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman resigned in protest of an internationally-mediated ceasefire with Hamas.

Bennet and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked announced that they are holding a press conference on Monday, where they will probably announce their resignation, Channel 2 reported.

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