EU fears over make-up of Israeli coalition

PRIME minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party has initiated a coalition agreement with an ultra-nationalist faction that brings its leader significantly closer to becoming foreign minister, a Likud party spokeswoman said yesterday.

Avigdor Lieberman, who heads the right-wing Yisrael Beitenu party, has drawn accusations of racism for proposing that Israel’s Arab citizens sign loyalty oaths or lose their citizenship.

Although that plan is not likely to be implemented, his designation as foreign minister could harm Israel’s international ties.