Lieberman: Barak has 'no principles'

Israel Beiteinu chair says Labor leader would "agree to Barakei joining coalition to stay defense minister."

By JPOST.COM STAFF
liberman 248.88 ariel (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski [file])
liberman 248.88 ariel
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski [file])
Israel Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman launched a fierce attack on Defense Minister and Labor leader Ehud Barak on Wednesday, saying "Barak has already said many things and then later gone back on them." Speaking during an interview with Army Radio, Lieberman fumed, "In order to remain defense minister, he would agree to [Hadash chair] Muhammad Barakei joining the coalition. He has no principles, everything's personal with him." Prime Minister-designate Binyamin Netanyahu's Likud party is currently negotiating with both Labor and Israel Beiteinu, among other parties, to put together a coalition. Of his own potential cabinet appointment, Lieberman said, "I could be a good foreign minister, just like anyone else." Lieberman also denied claims that his party had requested the Public Security portfolio because of a police investigation against him. "I'm not interfering," he said, "and I won't interfere. The investigation won't result in an indictment." Attorney-General Menahem Mazuz has already ruled that Lieberman cannot be public security minister, because that minister is in charge of the police, which would pose a conflict of interests for his subordinates. In terms of the Justice Ministry, Lieberman said, "I think that [Justice Minister Daniel] Friedmann is a serious and appropriate man for the job, and the more people try to pressure me, the more I want him to [remain in his current position]." Amir Mizroch contributed to this report.