Breaking News: Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman Resigns

This afternoon at 4:37 PM Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman handed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu his letter of resignation in what can only be called "pulling a Palin".  Coming as a complete surprise to everyone, Lieberman's ambitious drive to undermine the peace process, continue West Bank construction, and introduce draconian citizenship requirements was beginning to yield fruit.  Peace talks with the Palestinian Authority, restarted a couple of months ago after a multi-year hiatus, have ground to a halt.  Once again the Israeli Foreign Ministry had regained its long-held position as Israel's least productive bureaucratic arm, and Lieberman's party is the Knesset's third largest.  And yet despite it all Avigdor stepped down from his cabinet post.

"My work here is done," Israel's former chief diplomat said at a press conference in Herzliya earlier today.  "I shall now set out to pursue of my greatest joy in life!"  Only when pressed by further questions by the press did he direct the curious pack of reporters to his newly opened falafel and shawarma stand next door:
בשר וכדורי אביגדור: Avigdor's Meat and Balls.  
"Yalla!" He shouted encouragingly at the gathering crowd.  "If you think I can serve up a dish of hot insult at the UN you should try my fried eggplant! Nu? Who wants a falafel in pita?"
When asked (amid mouthfuls of salad and spit-roasted turkey) where funds for his new establishment came from, former Foreign Minister chuckled and said "Ha!  You think the Jerusalem light rail really costs 1.2 billion ₪?"    
Netanyahu announced later that Lieberman's replacement would be little-known United Torah Judaism MK Moshe Gafni (picture at right, for his credentials follow the link).  Gafni is best known for passing gas in the Housing committee, passing water in the main Knesset chamber, and passing out during Vice President Joe Biden's visit last March.  Netanyahu said Gafni is, in fact, "overqualified for the position".  

Gabe Ciuraru contributed to this report.