Amir Peretz, Israeli defense minister and leader of the Labor party, on Thursday appointed Israel's first Arab Cabinet minister -- and was accused of dealing a "lethal blow to Zionism" by right wingers.
Raleb Majadele, a Labor member of the Knesset, was appointed minister for science and technology, but critics in the Labor party believe that Peretz made the appointment to ensure that Arab members of the party support him in a forthcoming leadership election.
Majadele replaces Ofir Pines Paz, a Labor MP who resigned over the appointment of Avigdor Lieberman, the head of the Israel Our Home party, as deputy prime minister. Lieberman advocates removing Arabs from Israel.
Majadele said it would be difficult sitting at the same Cabinet table as Lieberman but hoped to overcome any problems.
Arabs make up around 20 percent of the Israeli population but are under represented in most professions. Esterina Tartman, the chairwoman of Israel Our Home, told Israel radio that Majadele's appointment was a lethal blow to Zionism.
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