Israel appoints Arab cabinet minister

Israeli defense minister Amir Peretz, leader of Israel’s Labour Party, has chosen Arab MP Raleb Majadele to be a cabinet minister, Israeli media reported today.

Majadele would be the second Israeli Arab to serve in the cabinet. Salah Tarif, a Druse leader, served nine months as a minister without portfolio before resigning in January 2002 because of a corruption investigation against him.