Tel Aviv, May 31 (RHC)-- Extremist Israeli politician Avigdor Lieberman has been officially sworn in as Israel's new minister of military affairs.  The former foreign minister was sworn in after receiving 55 votes in the 120-seat parliament (Knesset) while 43 members voted against him on Monday.

Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet unanimously approved Lieberman's appointment.  Described by the Israeli daily Haaretz as a politician "to whom military DNA is utterly foreign," Lieberman is known for his controversial comments, his harsh policies against Palestinians, and pro-settlement stance.   

Following the reports of Lieberman's appointment, Israel's environment minister officially resigned on Friday.  In his letter of resignation, Avi Gabbay said that recent "political maneuvering" and replacements are "grave actions that ignore what is important for [Israel's] security and will bring about more extremism and rifts among the people."

Netanyahu signed up Lieberman as Israel's new minister of military affairs last week, shortly after the former minister of military affairs Moshe Ya'alon resigned citing "lack of trust" in Netanyahu.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry denounced Lieberman's appointment saying the Tel Aviv regime prefers spreading extremism and building illegal settlements to peace.