Israeli cabinet reshuffle inspires 'seeds of fascism' warning from former Prime Minister

The ultra-nationalist party, Yisrael Beitenu (Israel Our Home), has been invited into the government coalition bringing its majority from one to seven

Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon (left) and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Israeli-held Golan heights (AP)

The recent shake-up of the Israeli cabinet has led to former prime minister Ehud Barak warn the government's new direction show the "seeds of fascism".

Benjamin Netanyahu, the conservative Israeli prime minister, has recently given up efforts for form a centre-left coalition with liberal rivals in favour of joining up with the ultra-nationalist party, Yisrael Beiteinu (Israel Our Home).

With the new addition, the government's parliamentary share from 61 to 67 seats in the 120-member parliament.

Yirael Beiteinu's leader Avignor Lieberman has been reportedly offered the defence minister position inspiring the current Defence minister, Moshe Yaalon , to resign and quit Netanyahu's Likud party.

Yaalon, a former head of the Israeli Defence Force, said he was resigning due to "a lack of trust" in Netanyahu's leadership.

Lieberman, a West Bank settler, has previously caused controversy by calling for 'disloyal' Israeli Arabs to be beheaded.

Moshe Arens, a former defence and foreign minister, has said the reshuffle has wide ranging rammifications.

He wrote in the centre-left Haaretz newspaper:"Yaalon's ouster is likely to be a turning point in Israel's political history.

"A political earthquake is in the offing. It may take a little time, but it is coming. The law of unforeseen consequences is at work."

The long-serving military affairs correspondent on Israel's Channel 2, Roni Daniel, reacted to Yaalon's resignation live on air saying: "I cannot urge my children to stay here, because it is a place that is not nice to be in."

In an attempt to quell rising criticism, Netanyahu said in a news conference he was in charge and had the nation's interests at heart.

"I'm looking out for the country's future. I have proved that as prime minister. I hear a lot of voices; many things are said in politics," he said.

"Ultimately, it's the prime minister who directs everything together with the defence minister, with the chief of staff, and apparently I haven't done such a bad job during my years as prime minister -- that's the way it is going to be now."