Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu intervened to prevent Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman from dismissing Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Dr. Gabriella Shalev. Lieberman was planning to replace her with Alon Pinkas.

It appears the prime minister was acting primarily because Lieberman did not adhere to protocol and consult him, perhaps compelling him to flex his political muscle to send a clear message to Lieberman. A number of other Foreign Ministry appointments were also not approved including the appointment of Shai Bazak as the Consul General in New York City.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)