Some feel that Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman has sold out since assuming his current senior cabinet post while others feel his statements are among the most honest heard from members of the government. Lieberman vowed to rule with a hard-handed policy however, his recent statements and actions are not that of a hardline right-winger.

Lieberman’s latest statements call for construction in settlement blocs in Yehuda and Shomron, opposing the construction of homes in isolated communities which he feels will ultimately be abandoned by Israel in a peace agreement with the PA (Palestinian Authority).

Lieberman announced there are public officials and rabbonim sending messages of false hope, insisting he has not changed his hashkafa but that he is simply telling it like it is. Lieberman explains Israel does not exist in a vacuum and Jerusalem must take US opinion and policy into consideration and cannot act as it does.

Despite the euphoria in the Israeli right-wing camp following the US presidential elections, Lieberman advises “to lower expectations” regarding renewed construction throughout Yehuda and Shomron. He feels even if permitted to build, construction must be limited to settlement blocs that are likely to remain under Israeli sovereignty instead of building in areas, including small ones.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)