- Title: Israel defence chief quits, citing 'difficult disputes' with Netanyahu
- Date: 20th May 2016
- Summary: JERUSALEM (FILE) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF YAALON AT CABINET MEETING
- Embargoed: 4th June 2016 11:05
- Keywords: Israel politics Yaalon defence minister Benjamin Netanyahu
- Location: TEL AVIV, ISRAEL / JERUSALEM
- City: TEL AVIV, ISRAEL / JERUSALEM
- Country: Israel
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0024IM3YO7
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Israel's defence minister resigned on Friday (May 20), saying the nation was being taken over by "extremist and dangerous elements" after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu moved to replace him with a far-right politician and strengthen his coalition.
"To my great regret, I have recently found myself in difficult disputes over matters of principle and professionalism with the prime minister, a number of cabinet members and some lawmakers," a grim-faced Moshe Yaalon said in a televised statement at the defence headquarters in Tel Aviv.
Political sources say Netanyahu has offered long-time rival Avigdor Lieberman the defence portfolio.
The post is crucial for a country on a perennial war footing and which runs civil affairs in the occupied West Bank, where Palestinians struggling for statehood live in friction with Jewish settlers.
Yaalon described Israel as "overrun by extremist and dangerous elements" and said this was also felt within the ruling Likud party - a hint he might be considering a political defection.
"I have no intention of leaving the public and political life. In the future I will return to contend for Israel's national leadership," Yaalon said.
Netanyahu's office did not immediately respond to his comments.
Netanyahu's offer of Yaalon's cabinet post to Lieberman emerged this week after talks failed on bringing centre-left opposition leader Isaac Herzog into the government. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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