DAR AL HARB - ISRAEL: FIRST MOSLEM MINISTER APPOINTED

Israeli Cabinet approves appointment of first Muslim minister

JERUSALEM: The Israeli government on Sunday approved the appointment of the country's first Muslim Cabinet member, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office said.

The appointment of Raleb Majadele as a minister without portfolio is expected to go before parliament for final confirmation on Monday.

Majadele, a parliamentary backbencher, says his appointment is meant to give representation to Israel's Arabs, who make up about 20 percent of the country's 7 million citizens. He has predicted that in future, every Israeli government will be obliged to include an Arab minister.

Arabs lag behind Israel's Jewish population in income, education and standard of living, and have long lacked representation in government commensurate with their numbers. Israel's 120-seat parliament includes 13 Arab members.

Israel has had only one Arab Cabinet minister before: Salah Tarif, a Druse, who was appointed in 2001 and forced to resign nine months later under a cloud of corruption allegations.

...



Pertinent Links:

1) Israeli Cabinet approves appointment of first Muslim minister