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| {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2012}} | |||
| {{Infobox member of the Knesset | |||
| | image = Avigdor Lieberman - 2011.jpg | |||
| | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1958|6|5|df=y}} | |||
| | birth_place = ], ] | |||
| | Year of Aliyah = 1978 | |||
| | death_date = | |||
| | Knesset(s) = ], ], ], ], ] | |||
| | party1 = ] | |||
| | partyyears1 = 1999–2003 | |||
| | party2 = ] | |||
| | partyyears2 = 2003 | |||
| | party3 = ] | |||
| | partyyears3 = 2006– | |||
| | minister1 = {{nowrap|]}} | |||
| | ministeryears1 = 2001–2002 | |||
| | minister2 = ] | |||
| | ministeryears2 = 2003–2004 | |||
| | minister3 = ] | |||
| | ministeryears3 = 2006–2008 | |||
| | minister4 = ] | |||
| | ministeryears4 = 2006–2008 | |||
| | minister5 = ] | |||
| | ministeryears5 = 2009–2012 | |||
| | minister6 = ] | |||
| | ministeryears6 = 2009–2012 | |||
| | minister7 = ] | |||
| | ministeryears7 = 2013– | |||
| }} | |||
| '''Avigdor Lieberman''' ({{lang-he|אביגדור ליברמן}}, {{IPA-he|aviɡˈdor ˈliberman|IPA}}, <small>{{Audio|Avigdor lieberman.ogg|(audio)}}</small>; born '''Evet Lvovich Liberman''', {{lang-ru|Эве́т Льво́вич Ли́берман}}, 5 June 1958)<ref name=box>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSL9314428|title=FACTBOX – Israel's Avigdor Lieberman|accessdate=9 February 2009|date=9 February 2009|agency=Reuters|first=Alastair|last=MacDonald|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090212130746/http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSL9314428|archivedate=12 February 2009 <!--DASHBot-->|deadurl=no}}</ref> is a ]-born ] politician who has been Israel's ] since 2013. He also served as member of the ] and as ]. Lieberman's first term as Foreign Minister began in 2009 and ended with his resignation in December 2012, due to an investigation in which he was charged with fraud and breach of trust.<ref></ref> He is the founder and leader of the ] party, whose electoral base are the immigrants from the former ].<ref>, Politico, 16 February 2009 {{he icon}}</ref> Following Lieberman's resignation, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stepped in and served as acting Foreign Minister for the duration of Lieberman's trial.<ref>http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/lieberman-aides-still-running-foreign-ministry-with-netanyahu-s-approval.premium-1.489969</ref> Lieberman's trial ended with an acquittal on 6 November 2013,<ref></ref> and he resumed his post as Foreign Minister on 11 November 2013.<ref> - Ynetnews.</ref> | |||
| Lieberman first entered the Knesset in 1999, and has since served in numerous roles in the ], including as ], ], ], ], and ]. | |||
| ==Biography== | |||
| ===Early life and early career=== | |||
| Lieberman was born on 5 June 1958 in Kishinev, ] (now ], ]). His father Lev (18 May 1921 – 2 July 2007) had served in the ] and spent seven years in a ] ] under ]'s rule,<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/02/09/idUSL9314428 | work=Reuters | first=Alastair | last=MacDonald | title=FACTBOX - Israel's Avigdor Lieberman | date=9 February 2009}}</ref> where he met Evet's mother Esther (born 2 July 1924).{{Citation needed|date=January 2012}} His family had a strong Jewish identity, and he spoke only ] up to the age of three.<ref>http://www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/All-Is-Heaven-with-Avigdor-Lieberman?offset=1&max=1</ref> After high school, Lieberman applied to study international law at ], but was, according to an interview, ]. He then temporarily enrolled at the ] with a ] ] major.<ref>, in ]</ref> | |||
| Lieberman and his family ] to ] in 1978, and Lieberman changed his first name to 'Avigdor'.<ref name=box/> He initially considered living in a ] before moving into ].<ref name= student/> He was conscripted into the ] and served in the ],<ref>{{cite journal|journal=]|title=Five Questions/Five Answers|page=p. 5|issue=2984th Edition|date=3 April 2009}}</ref> attaining the ] of ].<ref name=box/> After his military service, he enrolled in the ] and earned a ] in international relations and political science.<ref name=watch>.'']''. Published 5 February 2009.</ref> During his studies he was active in the student group, "Kastel", associated with the ]. Relations between Kastel and Arab student groups were tense and often deteriorated into violence. According to '']'', based on the testimony of a witness who was a student at the time, Lieberman participated in a few of the violent clashes. Lieberman said that he was involved in two. ], an Arab Knesset member from ] who was also a student at the time and active in Arab groups, claimed that he remembers Lieberman as yelling a lot but avoiding any of the rough action.<ref name=student>{{cite news|url=http://www.nrg.co.il/online/1/ART1/865/489.html|title=Lieberman The Student|last=Leibowitz|first= Sarah|publisher=]|language=Hebrew|date=14 March 2009}}</ref> | |||
| On the eve of the 2009 elections in Israel, '']'' wrote that Lieberman was briefly involved with the ] party of ] shortly after his immigration to Israel. The membership claims were based on the testimony of two activists in the movement, ] and ], who said that Lieberman was a member of the party for a short-term period. Lieberman rejected the story,<ref name=student/> and called the publication an "orchestrated provocation".<ref name="haaretz_kach">{{cite news|title=Lieberman was involved in radical right Kach movement|first=Lily|last=Galili|work=]|date=5 February 2009|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1061350.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inn.co.il/News/News.aspx/185129|title=Account: Lieberman was a Member of the Kach Movement|last=Tena|first=Samuel|date=4 February 2009|publisher=Arutz Sheva|accessdate=29 March 2009|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090412025306/http://inn.co.il/News/News.aspx/185129|archivedate=12 April 2009<!--DASHBot-->|deadurl=no}}{{he icon}}</ref> Kach was barred from participating in the ] in 1988 under the revised ] banning parties that incited racism and was declared a terrorist organization in 1994.<ref name="MFA"> Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 3 March 1994</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/antiarab-kach-group-outlawed-in-israel-belated-response-to-hebron-massacre-is-likely-to-help-get-peace-negotiations-going-again-1428983.html|title= Anti-Arab Kach group outlawed in Israel: Belated response to Hebron massacre is likely to help get peace negotiations going again|last=Richards|first=Charles|date=14 March 1994|work=The Independent|location=London|accessdate=1 April 2009}}</ref> | |||
| While studying at the Hebrew University, Lieberman was busy job hunting and was given work by ], then a student chairman at the university, as a <ref></ref> in the student club "Shablul" (lit. "snail") where he met his future wife. A year later, Lieberman was promoted to a general manager, responsible for all the activities at the club.<ref> Ma'ariv {{he icon}}</ref> | |||
| From 1983 to 1988, Lieberman helped found the ''Zionist Forum for Soviet Jewry'', and was a member of the ''Board of the Jerusalem Economic Corporation'' and the Secretary of the ] branch of the ''Histadrut Ovdim Le'umit'' ("National Workers' Union"). In 1988, he started working with ]. From 1993 to 1996, following Netanyahu's election as party leader, Lieberman served as Director-General of the Likud party. After Netanyahu was elected ], Lieberman served as Director-General of the ] from 1996 to 1997.<ref name=watch/> | |||
| ===Later career=== | |||
| In 1997, Lieberman resigned from Likud after Prime Minister Netanyahu granted concessions to the Palestinians in the ], and expressed disappointment when ], a new immigrant's party headed by ] that had right-center leanings, did not quit the coalition government in protest. In 1999, Lieberman formed the ] party to create a platform for Soviet immigrants who supported a hard line in negotiations with the Palestinians. The party ran for the ] during the ], and ran on a joint list with ], a party formed by ] and ], who had broke away from Yisrael BaAliyah. The new party won four seats, one of which was taken by Lieberman. Lieberman served on the ] and State Control Committee, and as Chairman of the Israel-Moldova Parliamentary Friendship League.<ref> Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs</ref> | |||
| {{Quote box|width=246px|bgcolor=#c6dbf7|align=right|quote= ""My countryman may be a Jew, a Muslim, a Christian - I do not differentiate people by religion. Let them be religious or secular, the main thing that they are a true citizen of the State of Israel."|source=Avigdor Lieberman, 2005 <ref>http://www.avigdorliberman.info/right/ Official Website</ref>}} | |||
| In March 2001, Lieberman was appointed ], but resigned the post in March 2002. | |||
| In the ], Yisrael Beiteinu ran on a joint list with the ]. The joint list won seven seats, with Yisrael Beiteinu being alloted four of them. In February 2003, Lieberman was appointed ], and chose to resign from the Knesset to take a seat in the Cabinet. He maintained leadership of the party and returned to the Knesset in 2006—later, he would simultaneously serve in the Knesset and Cabinet. | |||
| In May 2004, Lieberman was dismissed from the ] by Prime Minister ] due to his opposition to the ],<ref> New York Times, 4 June 2004</ref> and Yisrael Beiteinu left the government in June in protest of the disengagement. | |||
| ] ] in 2007]] | |||
| In the ], Lieberman's party split from the National Union to run alone. The party won eleven seats, a gain from its previous six seats. It was initially in the opposition, but after a few months, in October 2006, Lieberman and ] ] signed a coalition agreement under which Lieberman became the ] and ], a newly created position with a focus towards the ].<ref name=greg/> In December 2006, he called Iranian ] "the biggest threat facing the Jewish people since the Second World War."<ref name=greg/> He advocated that Israel join the ] and ].<ref></ref> | |||
| Lieberman resigned his cabinet position and ] left the coalition in January 2008; he cited his opposition to the resuming peace talks, saying that "Negotiations on the basis of ] are a critical mistake ... and will destroy us."<ref>. By Rory McCarthy. '']''. Published 16 March 2009.</ref> | |||
| Yisrael Beiteinu, which was described at times as Lieberman's "one man's party" for its media-closed meetings and party members' reluctance to give interviews,<ref> Israel News 2 {{he icon}}</ref> emerged as the third largest party in Israel after ] and on 16 March, it entered into the coalition government led by Prime Minister ].<ref name=braces/> Lieberman was appointed ] and ]. | |||
| On 25 October 2012, Lieberman and Prime Minister ] announced that their respective political parties, ] and ], had merged and would run together on a single ballot in Israel's 22 January 2013 general elections. “In view of the challenges we’re facing, we need responsibility on a national level ... We’re providing a true alternative, and an opportunity for the citizens to stabilize leadership and government.,” Lieberman said.<ref>{{cite web|last=Leshem|first=Elie|title=Netanyahu, Liberman announce they’ll run joint list for Knesset|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-announces-merger-with-israel-beytenu-promises-to-lead-with-strength/|publisher=The Times of Israel|accessdate=27 October 2012}}</ref> | |||
| ===Term as Minister of Foreign Affairs=== | |||
| Upon taking office as the ], Lieberman posed a clear message against application of provisions discussed at the ], which stipulated the settlement of all negotiated issues prior to their implementation in the field, adding that these discussions were never ] by the ]. He noted that Israel must abide, nonetheless, by the '']'' – which held a demand for an 'End of Palestinian violence' as a first phase for furtherance of the negotiations process—as well as by the two accompanying ] and ] documents.<ref name=ob>. '']''. Published 1 April 2009.</ref> | |||
| Lieberman had previously opposed the '']'' at the time of its adoption.<ref name=debut>. By ]. ] Published 2 April 2009.</ref> He left ]'s government due to his opposition to the ].<ref>, news1, 1 April 2009.</ref> Lieberman followed his 1 April message with concerns that " stand over us with a stopwatch" and that responsible and serious formulations of policy will take between one and two months.<ref>. By David Bedein. ''''. Published 9 April 2009.</ref> | |||
| Lieberman's office stated in early April that peace talks will continue when Palestinian government officials crack down on attacks against Israelis, after which the Israeli administration will reciprocate by freezing ].<ref name=top/> That position contradicts the ]'s new approach to the peace efforts, where Israel is requested to freeze all construction, including "natural growth" (i.e. "within existing construction lines")<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1245924934512&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull|title=Lieberman slams Obama's Iran policy|date=26 June 2009|work=The Jerusalem Post|accessdate=12 July 2009}}</ref> regardless of Palestinian commitments.<ref name=mc/> The office also told U.S. ] ] that past negotiations did not bring any real results.<ref name=mc/> Lieberman himself said in April, "The situation is deadlocked, and it is not because of us".<ref name=top>. '']''. Published 11 April 2009.</ref> He argued that a stable, successful peace effort requires Americans to focus on preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.<ref name=mc> '']''. Published 16 April 2009.</ref> | |||
| Lieberman and Prime Minister Netanyahu both planned to broaden the PR campaign overseen by the Foreign Ministry about Iran. Part of its new campaign focuses on Tehran's abuse of human rights and sponsorship of terrorism and also aims to appeal to those, such as the gay and lesbian communities, less concerned with Iran's nuclear aspirations and more fearful of its human rights abuses and mistreatment of minorities.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1079589.html|title=Israel recruits gay community in PR campaign against Iran|author=Barak Ravid|work=]|date=20 April 2009}}</ref> Despite his status within the government, the Israeli police have questioned Lieberman three times from he took office to 11 April about the ].<ref name=top/> | |||
| In early May 2009, Lieberman went on a European diplomatic mission, which went through Rome, Paris, Prague, and other cities. He met with his Foreign Minister counterparts, such as ] of Germany, and he also paid his respects at ], laying a wreath at the 19,000-square-meter monument.<ref name=money/> In 4 May 2009, in a press conference in ], Avigdor Lieberman skirted around the issue of a ], stating that "This government's goal is not produce slogans or make pompous declarations, but to reach concrete results," adding that the government was still in the process of formulating its foreign policy.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.co.il/hasite/spages/1082947.html|title=Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman: We are committed to the Peace Process|language=Hebrew|work=Haaretz|accessdate=8 May 2009| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090507153405/http://www.haaretz.co.il/hasite/spages/1082947.html| archivedate= 7 May 2009 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> On another occasion in his trip, he stated that "Nothing is going to come out of this 'Peace Industry' except for conferences in five star Hotels and a waste of money".<ref name=money>{{cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1083927.html|title=Lieberman: Nothing is going to come out of this 'Peace Industry' except for a waste of money|work=Haaretz|date=6 May 2009|accessdate=8 May 2009|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090511001317/http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1083927.html|archivedate=11 May 2009 <!--DASHBot-->|deadurl= no}}</ref> Generally speaking, the diplomatic mission was private and subject to restricted news coverage.<ref name=money/> In his remarks at the 2013 Sderot Conference for Society, Lieberman stated his support of multi-directional ], one that is more diverse. The weight of his statement came at a time when a preliminary deal between ] and the ] with ], which would partially freeze its rogue ], was in opposition.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ho|first=Spencer|title=Drifting from US, Liberman calls to diversify foreign policy|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/drifting-from-us-liberman-calls-to-diversify-foreign-policy/|publisher=The Times of Israel|accessdate=20 November 2013}}</ref> | |||
| On 7 May, '']'' stated that Lieberman was appointed the minister in charge of strategic dialogue with the U.S.<ref>{{cite news|first=Roni|last=Sofer|url=http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3712499,00.html|title=Lieberman will be responsible for the strategic dialogue with the U.S.|publisher=]|language=Hebrew|date=7 May 2009|accessdate=13 May 2009|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090510231750/http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3712499,00.html|archivedate=10 May 2009<!--DASHBot-->|deadurl= no}}</ref> On 17 June, he appeared in a joint ] with ] ] in his first official visit to the U.S. Lieberman clashed with Clinton over the issue of ], with Lieberman dismissing her call to end settlement expansion. '']'' described the meeting as "one of the most tense encounters between the sides for several years".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/614c98a4-5b98-11de-be3f-00144feabdc0,Authorised=false.html?_i_location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ft.com%2Fcms%2Fs%2F0%2F614c98a4-5b98-11de-be3f-00144feabdc0.html%3Fnclick_check%3D1&_i_referer=http%3A%2F%2Fhotair.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F06%2F18%2Fhillary-demands-settlement-closure-but-not-freedom-in-iran%2F&nclick_check=1|work=Financial Times|accessdate=18 June 2009|date=18 June 2009|first=Daniel|last=Dombey|title=Clinton clashes with Israelis over settlers}}</ref> Clinton also rejected Lieberman's assertion that the ] had agreed to further building in the ]. ] stated afterward that Lieberman and Prime Minister Netanyahu both have the same position of settlement expansion and for retaining ] as the ].<ref>{{cite news|publisher=]|accessdate=18 June 2009|date=18 June 2009|title=Clinton vs. Lieberman in Bare Knuckles Fight over Yesha|author=Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/131937| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619161220/http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/131937|archivedate=19 June 2009 <!--DASHBot-->|deadurl= no}}</ref> | |||
| In September 2009, Lieberman toured ] to meet leaders and donate humanitarian aid, along with businessmen and officials from the Foreign Ministry, Finance Ministry, Defense Ministry, and National Security Council in an attempt to strengthen economic and trade ties and discuss the issue of the Iranian nuclear program.<ref>http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3770687,00.html</ref> As part of his policy to create more diplomatic openings for Israel, Lieberman also sought to strengthen ties with countries in Eastern and Central Europe. In a 2011 interview, Prime Minister Netanyahu said that Lieberman had opened important places where Israel had never really had diplomatic opening to before.<ref>{{YouTube|v5t6A9wSMWo|A World View Interview with Benjamin Netanyahu}}</ref> | |||
| ===Personal life=== | |||
| ] | |||
| Lieberman and his wife Ella (] Tzipkin, born 16 June 1959), also a Moldovan immigrant to Israel, have a daughter Michal (born 22 June 1983) and two sons, Yaakov (born 15 March 1988) and Amos (born 14 September 1990). They live in the ] of ], located in the ] of the ], where they have resided since 1988.<ref name=box/> Lieberman stated that, despite having lived there for so long, he is willing to leave his home as part of a peace agreement.<ref name=quit/> | |||
| He speaks ], ], ] and ]. | |||
| ==Political positions== | |||
| ===Lieberman Plan=== | |||
| {{Main|Lieberman Plan}} | |||
| According to Lieberman, "The peace process is based on three false basic assumptions; that Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the main cause of instability in the Middle East, that the conflict is territorial and not ideological, and that the establishment of a Palestinian state based on the ] will end the conflict."<ref> Ynetnews, 10 December 2006.</ref> | |||
| In late May 2004, Lieberman proposed a plan in which the populations and territories of Israeli ]s and ]s, including some ]s, would be "separated." According to the plan, also known as the "Populated-Area Exchange Plan," Israeli Arab towns adjacent to ] areas would be transferred to Palestinian Authority, and only those Arab Israelis who migrated from the area to within Israel's new borders and pledged loyalty to Israel would be allowed to remain Israeli citizens. On 30 May 2004, Prime Minister ] condemned Lieberman's statements, stating "We regard ] as part of the State of Israel."<ref name=SEPARATION> ], 30 May 2004.</ref> On 4 June 2004, as the disputes over the up-coming ] grew more intense, Sharon dismissed Lieberman from the cabinet.<ref>, ], 5 June 2004.</ref><ref> ], 5 June 2004</ref> | |||
| After the ], Lieberman said he changed his mind in recent years and decided to support the creation of a ]. He wrote in a letter to '']'' that he "advocates the creation of a viable Palestinian state," and told '']'' that he would agree to the evacuation of ] "if there really will be a two-state solution". He explained in the Knesset that "reality changes" and that his shift had occurred over the last few years.<ref name=hoffman>{{Cite news | |||
| | last = Hoffman | |||
| | first = Gil | |||
| | title = Lieberman 'changes mind' on PA state | |||
| | work=The Jerusalem Post | |||
| | accessdate =4 March 2009 | |||
| | date = 3 March 2009 | |||
| | url = http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1236103147718&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull | |||
| }}</ref> In his ''The Jewish Week'' article, Lieberman tried to explain his party's "no loyalty – no citizenship" campaign by writing: "During ] in Gaza, I was appalled by the calls for the destruction of the State of Israel and for renewed suicide bombings that some Israeli Arab leaders called for at pro-Hamas rallies. Although 'responsible citizenship' had always been part of our platform, I realized that this was a burning issue that had to take top priority."<ref name=benhorin>{{Cite news | |||
| | last = Benhorin | |||
| | first = Yitzhak | |||
| | title = Lieberman: I back creation of Palestinian state | |||
| | work=Ynetnews | |||
| | accessdate =4 March 2009 | |||
| | date = 26 February 2009 | |||
| | url = http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3678374,00.html | |||
| | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090302063603/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3678374,00.html| archivedate= 2 March 2009 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> He explained his "responsible citizenship" platform and compared his position to the express policy of nations around the world, saying: "In the U.S., those requesting a ] must take an oath that they will fulfill the rights and duties of citizenship.".<ref name=haaretzsupport>{{Cite news | |||
| | title = Lieberman: I support creation of viable Palestinian state | |||
| | work=Haaretz | |||
| | accessdate =4 March 2009 | |||
| | date = 27 February 2009 | |||
| | url = http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1067299.html | |||
| | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090301130845/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1067299.html| archivedate= 1 March 2009 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> | |||
| On 5 January 2014, Lieberman again brought up his plan, saying that he would not support any peace plan that did not include such "an exchange".<ref name="Lieberman2014">{{cite web |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.567063 |title=Lieberman: Several Israeli Arab towns must be made part of Palestine under peace deal |publisher=] |date=5 January 2014 |accessdate=6 January 2014}}</ref> He said that when he talks about it, he refers to the ] and ].<ref name="Lieberman2014"/> | |||
| ===Other issues=== | |||
| Lieberman supports Israeli membership in the ] and ].<ref>, ], 1 January 2007.</ref> He considers ] a serious threat to Israel, but initially came out in favor of further ] and opposed a military strike, saying that he cannot imagine the implications of armed action.<ref name=quit>{{Cite news | |||
| | last = Mozgovaya | |||
| | first = Natasha | |||
| | title = Lieberman: I'm ready to quit my settlement home for peace | |||
| | work=] | |||
| | accessdate =11 April 2009 | |||
| | date = 1 March 2009 | |||
| | url = http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1067545.html | |||
| | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090418075729/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1067545.html| archivedate= 18 April 2009 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> However, '']'' later reported that Prime Minister ] and Defense Minister ] persuaded Lieberman to switch sides and support an attack.<ref>http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/netanyahu-trying-to-persuade-cabinet-to-support-attack-on-iran-1.393214</ref> | |||
| While his party is sometimes described by the ]<ref name=key>{{Cite news | |||
| | last = Prusher | |||
| | first = Ilene R. | |||
| | title = Key to who will govern Israel: Avigdor Lieberman | |||
| | work=] | |||
| | accessdate =11 April 2009 | |||
| | date = 12 February 2009 | |||
| | url = http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0212/p01s04-wome.html | |||
| | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090308020042/http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0212/p01s04-wome.html| archivedate= 8 March 2009 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> as ] and aiming to reduce the role of the ], it actually supports the continuation of the role of ] ], but wants more nationally-minded religious people, rather than the ], in charge.<ref name=plat/> It does not advocate introducing ], but rather to find a solution to some of those who cannot marry under such laws.<ref name=key/> It does not advocate a ] in Israeli society.<ref name=plat>{{cite web|url=http://beytenu.org.il/85/2649/article.html|title=Party Platform on State and Religion|language=Hebrew|publisher=]|date=1 January 2009|accessdate=12 April 2009|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090418012447/http://beytenu.org.il/85/2649/article.html|archivedate=18 April 2009 <!--DASHBot-->|deadurl= no}}</ref> | |||
| ==Mass media perception== | |||
| A large number of ] sources within and outside of Israel have labelled ] and Lieberman as ] <ref name="newsweek1"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/1533343/Jews-and-Arabs-can-never-live-together%2C-says-Israel%27s-vice-PM.html|title=Jews and Arabs can never live together, says Israel's vice PM|work=The Daily Telegraph |date=5 November 2006|accessdate=25 April 2010|location=London|first=Harry|last=de Quetteville}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Rory McCarthy in Nokdim|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/feb/05/israel-election-lieberman-opinion-polls |title=Hardliner Avigdor Lieberman rises to third in Israeli polls|work=The Guardian|location=London|date=5 February 2009|accessdate=25 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Douglas Hamilton |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/russia/idUSTRE5170SV20090208|title=Israeli populist's hardline message draws voters |agency=Reuters|date=8 February 2009|accessdate=25 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=PHIL ZABRISKIE|url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1550372,00.html|title=Olmert's New Coalition Partner: A Step Forward or Back?|work=Time|date=24 October 2006|accessdate=25 April 2010}}</ref> to ]<ref>{{cite news|author=ARON HELLER, Associated Press Writer |url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Oct29/0,4670,MLIsraelMubarak,00.html|title=Israel apologizes for lawmaker's Mubarak comments|publisher=Fox News Channel|date=29 October 2008|accessdate=25 April 2010}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6098310.stm|title=Middle East | Far-right joins Israel coalition |publisher=BBC|date=30 October 2006|accessdate=25 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Blair|first=David |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/4526533/Far-Right-Israeli-party-enjoys-surge-in-polls-to-become-election-kingmaker.html|title=Far-Right Israeli party enjoys surge in polls to become election kingmaker|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=5 February 2009|accessdate=25 April 2010|location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Chris McGreal in Jerusalem|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2006/mar/30/israel2|title=Olmert seeks partners after indecisive victory|work=The Guardian|location=London|date=29 March 2006|accessdate=25 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.haaretz.co.il/hasen/spages/1057752.html|title=How did Kadima lose four seats in one week?|work=Haaretz |accessdate=25 April 2010}}</ref><ref></ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/23/world/middleeast/24mideastcnd.html|work=The New York Times|title=Israeli Adds Far-Right Party to Coalition|first=Greg|last=Myre|date=23 October 2006}}</ref><ref></ref><ref></ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Levinson|first=Charles|url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123388845963255467.html|title=Anti-Arab Israeli Party Surges|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=6 February 2009|accessdate=25 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thejerusalemfund.org/ht/d/sp/i/223/pid/223|title="The Future of Palestine: Righteous Jews vs. the New Afrikaners" with Professor John J. Mearsheimer|publisher=The Jerusalem Fund|date=29 April 2010|accessdate=3 May 2010 |quote=Probably the best single indicator of how far to the right Israel has moved in recent years is the shocking fact that Avigdor Lieberman is employed as its foreign minister. Even Martin Peretz of the New Republic, who is well known for his unyielding support for Israel, describes Lieberman as 'a neo-fascist', and equates him with the late Austrian fascist Jorg Haider|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100501084336/http://www.thejerusalemfund.org/ht/d/sp/i/223/pid/223| archivedate=1 May 2010 <!--DASHBot-->|deadurl= no}}</ref> or ].<ref name="newsweek1">{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/183698|title=Orly Levy, Israel's Rising Right-Wing Candidate|work=Newsweek|date=16 February 2009|accessdate=25 April 2010}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref></ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2009Feb04/0,4670,MLIsraelHardlineHero,00.html|title=Israeli ultranationalist poised for election gains|publisher=Fox News Channel|date=4 February 2009|accessdate=25 April 2010|deadurl=yes}} {{Dead link|date=April 2014|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Casey|first=Vinny|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1400139/Whos-who-Israeli-groups.html|title=Who's who: Israeli groups|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=15 October 2003|accessdate=25 April 2010|location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Toni O'Loughlin in Jerusalem|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/dec/27/israel-nationalism-beiteinu-likud-gaza|title=Israeli far right gains ground as Gaza rockets fuel tension | World news|work=The Guardian |location=London|date= 27 December 2008|accessdate=25 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100436058|title=Israeli Ultranationalist Expected To Gain In Election|publisher=NPR|date=9 February 2009 |accessdate=25 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-11/01/content_5278211.htm |title=Xinhua – English|agency=Xinhua News Agency|date=1 November 2006|accessdate=25 April 2010}}</ref> However, in general, Israelis are divided on how to characterize Lieberman's politics.<ref></ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.haaretz.co.il/hasen/pages/ShArtStEngPE.jhtml?itemNo=830503&contrassID=2&subContrassID=5&title=%27Not%20racist,%20stigmatized%20%27&dyn_server=172.20.5.5 |title=27Not%20racist,%20stigmatized%20%2|work=Haaretz|date=24 December 2006|accessdate=25 April 2010}}</ref><ref></ref> In a 2014 poll conducted in Israel, 62% saw Lieberman as a national leader.<ref name="globes-poll1">{{cite web|url=http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-liberman-as-national-leader-1000917226|title=62% see Liberman as national leader| | |||
| work=]|author=Weissman, Lilach|date=February 13, 2014|accessdate=May 28, 2014}}</ref> | |||
| Yisrael Beiteinu has shown support for a ] and were also noted for a ] approach upon leading new legislation for civil marriage in Israel as well as pushing for some relaxation in the ] process. Several commentators, however, noted that these positions do not coincide with the party's platform.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1063791.html|title=A new Jewish state|work=Haaretz |accessdate=25 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Aaron Sebag |url=http://www.neurope.eu/articles/92663.php |title=Israel's transition to new leadership – New Europe|publisher=Neurope.eu|accessdate=25 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Philippa Runner|url=http://euobserver.com/24/27596|title=EUobserver / EU urges Israel to stick to peace process|work=EUobserver|accessdate=25 April 2010}}</ref> These positions which are contradictory to the tradition of ]<ref>]</ref><ref>, ''Historical and Investigative Research'', 12 April 2006.</ref> had been explained by ] as that following the ], opinions were split regarding the occupied territory, where being right-wing meant a position of holding onto the territory while being left-wing addressed a high level of willingness to give that territory away. He notes Lieberman to not be a right-winger by those terms as he's talking about giving occupied lands as well as land from sovereign Israel.<ref>"", by Jennie Rothenberg Gritz, '']'', 14 March 2007.</ref> | |||
| ==Controversies== | |||
| ===Statements towards Arab members of Knesset=== | |||
| A polarizing figure within Israeli politics, Lieberman is quoted as saying, "I've always been controversial because I offer new ideas. For me to be controversial, I think this is positive."<ref name=greg>{{cite news|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9805E2D71631F934A35751C1A9609C8B63 |title = Israeli Official Discusses Iran And His Controversial Agenda |date= 7 December 2006|work=The New York Times |last= Myre |first = Greg}}</ref> Lieberman has called to redraw the border between Israel and the ] so that Israel would include large Jewish settlement blocs and the Palestinian state would include large Arab-Israeli population centers. He proposed that Israel's citizens should sign a ] or ] ]. | |||
| In November 2006, Lieberman, who described ] that meet with ] as "terror collaborators", called for their execution: "] ended with the ]. The heads of the Nazi regime, along with their collaborators, were executed. I hope this will be the fate of the collaborators in ."<ref name=JpostMay4> ], Published 4 May 2006</ref> | |||
| The comment was attacked as racist by Eitan Cabel, a Labor party representative, and ], leader of the Arab party ] and one-time advisor to ], who demanded that, "a criminal investigation be initiated against Lieberman for violating the ]".<ref name=JpostMay4/><ref name=NAZI> ], 2 November 2006</ref> Tibi strongly objected to Lieberman's ministerial appointment, describing him as "a ] and a ]". ] minister ], who resigned over Lieberman's appointment, echoed Tibi's remarks, saying that Lieberman was tainted "by racist declarations and declarations that harm the democratic character of Israel".<ref name=CHARACTER> ], 31 October 2006</ref> | |||
| In remarks in the ] in March 2008, shortly after the 6 March ] at Jerusalem's ] yeshiva, Lieberman commented that "yesterday's attack can not be disconnected from the Arab MKs incitement, which we hear daily in the Knesset."<ref>Haaretz Service:Lieberman: Jerusalem attack is product of Arab MK incitement </ref> Directing his comments at Arab MKs whose comments Lieberman describes as ] incitement, he added that "a new administration will be established and then we will take care of you."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/962767.html|title=Shahar Ilan: Lieberman to Arab MKs: One day we will 'take care of you'|work=Haaretz|location=Israel|accessdate=25 April 2010}}</ref> | |||
| ===Statements about Egypt=== | |||
| In 1998, news reports stated that Lieberman suggested the bombing of the ] in retaliation for Egyptian support for ].<ref>. ]. Published 29 September 2008.</ref><ref name=alarm>. By Andrew England, Heba Saleh, and Tobias Buck. '']''. Published 17 March 2009.</ref> In 2001, reports stated that he told a group of ambassadors from the Former Soviet Union that if Egypt and Israel were ever to face off militarily again, that Israel could bomb the ].<ref name=braces>. By Nathan Guttman. '']''. Published 18 March 2009.</ref><ref name=ignore>. By Dina Kraft. '']''. Published 22 March 2009.</ref> | |||
| Since the signing of the ], which followed Egyptian President ]'s historic visit to Israel, multiple Israeli heads of state have visited Egypt on numerous occasions. However, Sadat's successor, ], visited Israel only once—for ]'s funeral in 1995<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globes.co.il/news/home.aspx?fid=2&did=1000169390|title=פגישת פסגה מדינית: רה"מ אולמרט ייפגש עם הנשיא מובארק במצרים – גלובס|publisher=Globes|accessdate=25 April 2010}}</ref>—since he assumed the Presidency in 14 October 1981 and has never participated in talks on Israeli soil. In 2008, while on the ] speaker's podium during its memorial for ], Lieberman raised the issue and said, "Mubarak never agreed to come here as president. He wants to talk to us? Let him come here. He doesn't want to talk to us? He can go to hell."<ref name="batteredwife"/> | |||
| Prime Minister ] and President ] immediately apologized to the Egyptians. Lieberman accused the two of them of acting like "a battered wife". He explained his belief that the President and Prime Minister were wrong to ask forgiveness from Mubarak in that Egypt had provoked Israel just days earlier by identifying Israel as the enemy in a massive military exercise and that caricatures in the Egyptian media are akin to ] propaganda.<ref name="batteredwife">{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3616101,00.html|title=Lieberman: Israel acting like battered wife with Egypt|date=11 January 2008|publisher=]|accessdate=12 April 2009}}</ref> | |||
| After Netanyahu began his term as Prime Minister in March 2009, government aides met with Egyptian officials and told them that Lieberman's role should not be a reason for tension between the two countries.<ref name=ignore/> News reports had previously been issued claiming that Egypt would not work with the Netanyahu administration unless Lieberman personally apologized.<ref name=turk/><ref name=invite>. '']''. Published 7 April 2009.</ref> The administration labeled them "inaccurate and out of all proportion".<ref name=turk>. '']''. Published 22 March 2009.</ref> On 9 April, Mubarak invited Netanyahu to meet with him personally in ].<ref name=invite/> Unofficial channels for discussion were also reportedly being considered.<ref>. ''Haaretz''.</ref> | |||
| During a meeting with Egyptian intelligence chief ] in April 2009, Lieberman made an attempt at an apology, expressing "his respect and appreciation for Egypt's leading role in the region and his personal respect for Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Minister Suleiman".<ref name="ICEJ">{{cite news|title=Egypt mending fences with Lieberman|url=http://www.icej.org/article/egypt_mending_fences_with_lieberman|accessdate=24 June 2010|newspaper=ICEJ News|date=23 April 2009}}</ref> | |||
| On 21 August, Lieberman said that it is important for Israel to make sure that the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty is upheld, and not to remain silent as Egyptian military forces enter the Sinai. Concern was raised by Israeli officials over Egyptian failure to notify Israel about the deployment of tanks in the Sinai, which violates the peace treaty. Lieberman said, "We must make sure that every detail is upheld, otherwise we'll find ourselves in a slippery slope as far as the peace treaty is concerned."<ref name="Liebs">{{cite web|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4271499,00.html|title=Lieberman: Don't let Egypt get away with violations|work=Yedioth Ahronot|date=21 August 2012| accessdate=21 August 2012|author=Somfalvi, Attila}}</ref> As instability in the Sinai continued into the next month, Lieberman responded to calls to deploy more troops with "The problem in Sinai is not the size of the forces, it is their readiness to fight, to put pressure and to carry out the job as is needed".<ref> ABC News, 23 September 2012.</ref> | |||
| On 28 August, Lieberman invited Egyptian President Morsi to visit Israel, after being encouraged by Morsi'is statements in late August that the Israel-Egypt peace treaty was secure. Lieberman said, "We certainly hope to see Morsi hosting official Israeli representatives soon; we want to see him giving interviews to Israeli media; we want to see him in Jerusalem as President (Shimon) Peres' guest."<ref name="ynet invitation">{{cite web| url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4274149,00.html|title=Lieberman invites Morsi to visit Israel|work=Yedioth Ahronot|date=28 August 2012|accessdate=28 August 2012|author=Fyler, Boaz; Magnezi, Aviel}}</ref> | |||
| ===Statements about Palestinians=== | |||
| Following a series of attacks on Israelis perpetrated by Palestinian militants during a three-day period in March 2002, Lieberman proposed issuing an ultimatum to the ] to halt all militant activity or face wide-ranging attacks. He said, "if it were up to me I would notify the Palestinian Authority that tomorrow at ten in the morning we would bomb all their places of business in ], for example."<ref name=hard/><ref name=open>. By Smadar Shmueli. ]. Published 4 March 2009.</ref> This led then ] ] to respond that excessive military measures could lead to accusations of war crimes<ref name=hard>. By Philip Jacobson. '']''. Published 5 February 2009.</ref> and that the Israeli administration must not "escalate the situation".<ref>. By Paul Peachey. '']''. Published 7 March 2002.</ref> | |||
| In July 2003, reacting to a commitment made by then Prime Minister ] to the US, where amnesty could be given to approximately 350 Palestinian prisoners including members of ] and ], Lieberman rejected a chance to participate in the related committee and said "It would be better to drown these prisoners in the ] if possible, since that's the lowest point in the world,"<ref name="Guardian1">McGreal, Chris. ] to help free detainees.] '']'', 25 July 2003.</ref><ref name=JPost1>Abu Toameh, Khaled. (2003, 21 July.) </ref><ref name=WSJ1>Chazan, Guy. ]</ref> Lieberman continued, according to ] ('Israel Army Radio'), by stating his willingness, as Minister of Transport, to supply buses to take the prisoners there.<ref> by ], 6 July 2003<br />- On Galei Tzahal it was reported that Lieberman said at the cabinet meeting that as Minister of Transport he's willing to provide buses to take them at sea and drown them there.<br />{{lang-he|בגלי צה"ל דווח שליברמן אמר בישיבת הממשלה שכשר התחבורה הוא מוכן לספק אוטובוסים לאסירים שיקחו אותם לים ולהטביע אותם שם.}}</ref> Lieberman's suggestion also led to confrontation between Lieberman and Arab-Israeli MKs ] (]-]), ] (]), ], Abdelmalek Dahamsha (]) as well as then opposition leader ].<ref name=Haaretz2006> ], 8 July 2006.</ref> | |||
| In January 2009, during the ], Lieberman argued that Israel "must continue to fight Hamas just like the United States did with the ]ese in ]. Then, too, the ] was unnecessary."<ref></ref> This threat was been interpreted by some media commentators, including Turkish Prime Minister ], as an allusion to ] and as advocacy for a ] on Gaza.<ref name=watch/><ref name="ma'annews">{{cite news |title=Israeli politician calls for nuclear strike on Gaza |publisher=] |date=13 January 2009 |url=http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=34924}}</ref><ref name="nevegordon1">{{cite news |title=Avigdor Lieberman, Israel's shame |first=Neve |last=Gordon |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/mar/25/avigdor-lieberman-binyamin-netanyahu-israel |date=25 March 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/03/netanyahus-love.html |title=Netanyahu's Love Bombs To America |first=Andrew |last=Sullivan |work=] |date=17 March 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Robert Tait in Istanbul |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/oct/26/turkey-iran1 |title='Iran is our friend,' says Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan |work=The Guardian |location=London |date= 26 October 2009|accessdate=25 April 2010 }}</ref> | |||
| ===Conflict with Mossad=== | |||
| In 2011, Lieberman became the first Foreign Minister to sever ties with the ]. Lieberman ordered the foreign ministry to boycott the Mossad, stop sharing information and stop inviting Mossad officials to discussions and meetings. This was after Lieberman said the Mossad has not followed the normal procedures.<ref>Ravid, Barak. ''Haaretz Newspaper'', 20 November 2011.</ref> | |||
| ===Relationship to Putin=== | |||
| After the ], in which ]'s party won, Lieberman was the first politician to describe them as "absolutely fair, free and democratic".<ref></ref><ref> Economist, Mar 16th 2013 |MOSCOW AND TEL AVIV</ref> Putin has described Lieberman's own political career as "brilliant".<ref> by The Associated Press, Dec. 4, 2009</ref> Lieberman's pro-Russian stance and perceived friendly relations with Putin have also drawn criticism from fellow Israelis.<ref name="putin">{{cite web|url=http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2012/10/netanyahus-dark-choice.html|title=Netanyahu’s Dark Choice}}</ref> | |||
| ==Investigations and allegations== | |||
| ===Corruption investigation and trial=== | |||
| Some of Lieberman's connections with local and foreign businessmen were under police investigation. Lieberman allegedly received millions of shekels from various entrepreneurs while serving as member of Knesset; under Israeli law, MKs are not allowed to receive any payment beyond their salary. One claim was that ] paid a company called Path to the East large amounts of money between the years 1999 and 2006, and that these sums were then allegedly passed on to Lieberman as a bribe. Other allegations concern a company called M.L.1, founded by Lieberman's daughter Michal when she was 21.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/846337.html |title=Who's the boss? |work=Haaretz |location=Israel |accessdate=25 April 2010}}</ref> These allegations concern money transferred to M.L.1 from unknown sources outside Israel; the money was later allegedly used for paying salaries to Avigdor and Michal Lieberman.<ref name="kupa">]. ], 6 March 2009 (in Hebrew)</ref> Lieberman was also under investigation for receiving a bribe from Austrian-Jewish businessman ].<ref>Hillel Fendel. Arutz Sheva, 3 January 2006</ref> | |||
| Lieberman denies all allegations of wrongdoing in these cases, and claims that the police are conspiring against him. In particular, he has pointed to the proximity of his investigation to the ]s and said that such investigations are "part of my routine before every parliamentary election."<ref name="kupa"/> Allegations of bias on the part of the police have also been reported in ], a right-wing Israeli news outlet, which reported that the investigation, which had been "ongoing for years, suddenly became active again once left the government" in January 2008.<ref>Ezra HaLevi. Arutz Sheva, 24 January 2008</ref> | |||
| On 2 April 2009, Lieberman was questioned by police on suspicion of corruption for at least seven hours at the national squad headquarters in central Israel. It was part of an ongoing investigation examining his business dealings. Lieberman denied all allegations. He claimed the investigation has been dragged out, and had filed a petition to the court requesting a speedy process.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/04/200942145820429387.html|title=Israeli FM questioned over graft|publisher=]|date=2 April 2009}}</ref> | |||
| On 24 May 2010 the ] recommended Lieberman's indictment for Breach of Trust, regarding the suspected receipt of classified information concerning ongoing criminal investigations into his activities. Former ambassador to ], ] was also recommended for indictment.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/israel-police-indict-avigdor-lieberman-for-breach-of-trust-1.291999|title=Israeli FM recommended for indictment|work=Haaretz|date=24 May 2010}}</ref> On 13 April 2011, the State Prosecutor's Office announced that it had decided to charge Lieberman with ], ], ] and ].<ref name=ynetnews>{{cite news|last=Glickman|first=Aviad|title=Lieberman to face criminal indictment|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4055903,00.html|accessdate=14 April 2011|newspaper=Ynetnews|date=13 April 2011}}</ref> The hearing was set for 17–18 January 2012.<ref>Bar-Zohar, Ophir. ''Haaretz Newspaper'', 3 January 2012.</ref> On 13 December 2012, a ] breaking news blog post stated that the Israeli Justice Ministry had decided to only charge him with breach of trust and fraud, and not the more serious ] and ] corruption charges.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.blogs.cnn.com/?hpt=hp_t3 | work=CNN | title=This Just In - - CNN.com Blogs | date=20 January 2014}}</ref> on 14 December 2012, Lieberman announced that he was removing his immunity and resigned as Foreign Minister.<ref name="Hard-Line Israeli Foreign Minister Resigns"></ref> His trial began on February 17, 2013, and ended on November 6, 2013, with an acquittal. The three judges voted unanimously to acquit him. In the verdict, they wrote that while Lieberman had acted improperly in failing to inform the Foreign Ministry of his past dealings with Ben Aryeh, he was not guilty of criminal activity, as he had not been aware of the seriousness of the circumstances, and his appointment of Ben Aryeh had not been a promotion.<ref> - Haaretz.</ref> Lieberman returned to his position as Foreign Minister on 11 November 2013, after the ] had approved his re-appointment to the office the previous day. | |||
| ===Conviction for assault=== | |||
| On 24 September 2001, Lieberman acknowledged in the Jerusalem District Court that he attacked a twelve-year-old youth from ], who had hit his son. The incident occurred in December 1999 in the ] settlement. His son told him that three boys hit him. Lieberman located one of the boys in a trailer and hit him in the face. After the boy fell and was injured, Lieberman grabbed him by the shirt-collar and arm, took him back to his home in Tekoa and threatened that he would attack him again if he returned to Nokdim.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globes.co.il/news/home.aspx?fid=2&did=523942 |title=ליברמן הורשע בבית המשפט בעיסקת טיעון בתקיפת קטין ואיומים – גלובס |publisher=Globes.co.il |date=24 September 2001 |accessdate=25 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://info1.court.gov.il/Prod01/ManamHTML.nsf/7990A9BFEC001F5242256AD20060A81B/$FILE/D925DA0750B1314242256AD200242994.html?OpenElement |title=Court Record (Hebrew) |publisher=Info1.court.gov.il |date=17 December 1999 |accessdate=25 April 2010}}</ref> | |||
| He was charged with assaulting and threatening him. Lieberman was convicted based on his own confession in the context of a ]. His attorney asked the judges, in the context of the arrangement, to restrict his punishment to a ] amid the defendant’s promise that he will not commit such an act in the future. The judge ultimately ruled that Lieberman must pay the child a compensation of 10,000 ], and an additional fine of 7,500 NIS. | |||
| ==References== | |||
| {{Reflist|colwidth=35em}} | |||
| ==External links== | |||
| {{Commons category|Avigdor Lieberman}} | |||
| {{Portal|Biography|Israel|Moldova|Russia|Soviet Union|Politics}} | |||
| *{{MKlink|id=214}} | |||
| *{{C-SPAN|avigdorlieberman}} | |||
| *{{Haaretztopic|Avigdor_Lieberman}} | |||
| *{{JPosttopic|Avigdor_Lieberman}} | |||
| *{{NYTtopic|people/l/avigdor_lieberman}} | |||
| *{{Worldcat id|lccn-n2002-55603}} | |||
| *{{Nndb|613/000203004}} | |||
| ;Articles | |||
| * ] essay on Lieberman from '']'' | |||
| * | |||
| * {{Cite news | |||
| | last = Lieberman | |||
| | first = Avigdor | |||
| | title = The Case For 'Responsible Citizenship' in Israel | |||
| | work=The Jewish Week | |||
| | accessdate =4 March 2009 | |||
| | date = 25 February 2009 | |||
| | url = http://www.thejewishweek.com/viewArticle/c55_a14989/Editorial__Opinion/Opinion.html | |||
| | archiveurl=http://replay.waybackmachine.org/20090228210654/http://www.thejewishweek.com/viewArticle/c55_a14989/Editorial__Opinion/Opinion.html | |||
| | archivedate=28 February 2009 | |||
| }} | |||
| * {{Cite news | |||
| | issn = 0740-5421 | |||
| | last = Weymouth | |||
| | first = Lally | |||
| | title = A Conversation With Avigdor Lieberman | |||
| | work=The Washington Post | |||
| | accessdate =1 March 2009 | |||
| | date = 1 March 2009 | |||
| | url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/26/AR2009022602806.html?wprss=rss_print/outlook | |||
| }} | |||
| *{{Cite news | |||
| | last = Horovitz | |||
| | first = David | |||
| |author2= Amir Mizroch | |||
| | title = The world according to Lieberman | |||
| | work=The Jerusalem Post | |||
| | accessdate =28 April 2009 | |||
| | date = 28 April 2009 | |||
| | url = http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1239710807376&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull | |||
| }} | |||
| {{IsraelForeignMin}} | |||
| {{Israeli National Infrastructure Ministers}} | |||
| {{Israeli Ministers of Transportation}} | |||
| {{Current MKs}} | |||
| {{Authority control|VIAF=120609763}} | |||
| {{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see ] --> | |||
| |NAME = Lieberman, Avigdor Levi | |||
| |ALTERNATIVE NAMES = אביגדור ליברמן | |||
| |SHORT DESCRIPTION = Israeli politician | |||
| |DATE OF BIRTH = 5 June 1958 | |||
| |PLACE OF BIRTH = ], ], ] | |||
| |DATE OF DEATH = | |||
| |PLACE OF DEATH = | |||
| }} | |||
| {{DEFAULTSORT:Lieberman, Avigdor}} | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
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Revision as of 16:17, 25 July 2014
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