Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman appears to have been influenced by the voice of opposition to his planned closure of Yeshivat Ohr Etzion religious military academy. As reported by YWN-ISRAEL, Rabbi Chaim Druckman Shlita and dati leumi politicians have been pressuring Lieberman, accusing him of clearly acting against the religious school.

They pointed out that Lieberman is not closing the secular military academy in Haifa despite fact its operation is far most costly. Hence, Lieberman’s claim the move is budget-related did not hold water.

During a session of the Knesset Foreign Affairs & Defense Committee on Monday, 19 Iyar, when opponents to Lieberman’s decision cited the Haifa school is far costlier than Ohr Etzion, et the latter is being closed because it is religious.

It was decided the decision to close Ohr Etzion was made while lacking essential information and as a result, Minister Lieberman is backing down and the military academy will continue operating.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)