Veteran Defense Ministry chief of staff Sharon Shalom steps down
Shalom was appointed to the prestigious post three years ago by then-defense minister Avigdor Liberman, but remained even after he and was replaced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
By JERUSALEM POST STAFFSharon Shalom(photo credit: MINISTRY OF DEFENSE SPOKESPERSON'S OFFICE)
Sharon Shalom, the veteran government official and chief of staff to the defense minister, has stepped down from his position after three years.Shalom was appointed to the prestigious post three years ago by then-defense minister Avigdor Liberman, but remained even after he was replaced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who took over the defense portfolio as well. Government officials at the time explained that Netanyahu trusted and respected Shalom, even if had been appointed by a political rival.Shalom had asked the prime minister earlier this month to allow him to step down from the post ahead of the September 17 election, and government sources said that he has decided to leave the public sector. Netanyahu thanked him for his service and contribution to the State of Israel.Shalom had previously served as Liberman’s chief of staff in the Foreign Ministry as well as in the National Infrastructure Ministry, where he was also asked – by then-prime minister Ariel Sharon – to remain after Liberman quit that office.Government officials who worked with Shalom described him as the “ultimate confidant,” diligent and known for ensuring that policy is pushed – and ultimately implemented – through often difficult government bureaucracy. During his terms at the Foreign Ministry and the Defense Ministry, Shalom frequently led sensitive diplomatic talks with foreign governments.
