Israeli PM's top adviser resigns

English.news.cn 2011-02-21

JERUSALEM, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's national security adviser Uzi Arad tendered his resignation late Sunday following months of tensions accompanied by departures.

Arad (second from right) in September 2009, seated next
to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Arad, who earned his PhD in International Relations at Princeton, told Netanyahu he would be returning to academia.

The resignation comes a week after Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman vetoed Netanyahu's decision to appoint Arad as the Israeli ambassador to Britain. Arad was slated to replace Ron Prosor, the current ambassador to London, who has been named as Israel's permanent ambassador to the UN.

Outraged over what he perceived as an attempt by Netanyahu to meddle with professional appointments, Lieberman convened a press conference last week to announce his vetoing of Arad's appointment. "Never before has (a prime minister) so flagrantly interfered in the Foreign Ministry's appointments of ambassadors," Lieberman told reporters.

In a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Bureau, Netanyahu said that in light of Arad's "talent and international connections " he had offered him to continue his civil service career with a diplomatic posting abroad, adding that the matter was being considered together with the foreign minister.

It is yet unclear if Netanyahu would be able to provide Arad with a posting that befits his experience and stature, or if the latter, would agree to accept it.

Arad, who headed the National Security Council (NSC) for two years and is a Netanyahu confidant, is reportedly gravely disappointed with the prime minister for succumbing to Lieberman.

In his statement, Netanyahu hailed Arad, saying he elevated the NSC to its highest level ever and had "contributed immensely to Israel's security and standing in the world."

"Only I know the scope of Uzi's contribution, and I am grateful, " Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu has begun interviewing candidates to replace Arad. The main contenders, said Sunday's statement, are Ya'akov Amidror, who headed the IDF's Military Intelligence Research Division, and Meir Kalifi, Netanyahu's former military attache in the Prime Minister's Bureau.

Staff members at the Prime Minister's Bureau had reportedly sighed with relief following the announcement of Arad's departure, Israeli daily Yediot Aharonot reported Monday.

While considered a brilliant strategist and security expert, Arad's hot temper and problematical social skills created tensions within the bureau and led to frequent resignations of NSC staff, according to the report.

Editor: Fang Yang

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