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Israeli Cabinet members mull shakeup over cease-fire with Palestinians

By Nicholas Sakelaris
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a meeting of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee in the Israeli Knesset, Jerusalem, on Monday. Photo by Debbie Hill /UPI
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a meeting of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee in the Israeli Knesset, Jerusalem, on Monday. Photo by Debbie Hill /UPI | License Photo

Nov. 19 (UPI) -- A top Israeli Cabinet member threatened Monday to quit if he's not appointed to replace defense minister Avigdor Liberman, saying he wants the country to take a harder line against terrorism.

Education Minister Naftali Bennett backed off the threat to leave after a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

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Like Liberman, who resigned last week, Bennett said he disagrees with the new cease-fire agreement with Palestinians.

"I made it clear to the prime minister that I was not, in any shape or form, giving him an ultimatum," Bennett said of his meet with Netanyahu, adding that Israel has been headed in the wrong direction since the Second Lebanon War in 2006.

"We think that there is no answer to terror, to rockets and mortars, but there is an answer -- we can get back to winning," he said.

Bennett's departure would shake up Israeli Parliament because he would take his eight-seat faction with him, toppling the coalition and forcing new elections.

Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked has sided with Bennett on the issue, saying Israel has stopped winning.

"I've seen it. I've seen the confusion, the chaos, the lack of determination, the lack of spirit," Shaked said.

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Netanyahu, now the acting defense minister, warned the coalition not to bring down the government.

"We are still in a military campaign," he said. "During this sensitive security time, it is irresponsible to bring down the government. Even if people try, we will continue to work for Israel's security. The security of the country is above politics and personal considerations."

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