August 14, 2012

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israeli lawmaker Avi Dichter resigned from the Kadima Party and the Knesset in order to join the government as Minister of Home Front Defense.

Dichter reportedly sent Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin his resignation on Tuesday, after being offered the position Monday night during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak. He will be appointed to replace Matan Vilnai, who on Monday became Israel’s ambassador to China.
Dichter will join the government as an independent, not affiliated with any political party. He has said he is not trying to split the beleaguered Kadima Party, the largest opposition party.

Dichter is the former director of Israel’s Shin Bet security service and a former Minister of Internal Security.

Dichter explained his decision in a post on his Facebook page: “After much deliberation which I hid from no one, I have decided to accept the prime minister and defense minister’s proposal to be appointed home front defense minister. Personal and partisan considerations were edged aside and I have chosen to serve the state the best way I can. At this time, I believe that I can do this best in the role of Home Front Defense Minster,”

Keep up with JTA’s comprehensive coverage of the 2012 London Olympics.

Click to login and write a letter to the editor.

This article was made possible by the support of readers like you. Donate to JTA now.