JERUSALEM - Israeli ultra-nationalist Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said on Monday that he wanted to impose restrictions on those wishing to become career diplomats, a move that would bar most Israeli Arabs.
Avigdor Lieberman
"All those who wish to join the foreign ministry's diplomatic training programme must serve in the army or perform the equivalent civil service," a senior official quoted Lieberman as saying during a meeting at the ministry.
The move would effectively bar most Israeli Arabs, along with ultra-Orthodox Jews, from becoming foreign ministry employees as they do not perform Israel's mandatory military service and few serve in civil service.
Lieberman vowed to change legislation if needed to enact the measure, as current Israeli law guarantees all citizens equal access to civil service branches.
The one-time bouncer and immigrant from the Soviet Union is known for his anti-Arab diatribes that have earned him the label of "racist" from critics.
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