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 Liberman resigned last December and was replaced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who took on 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 rime minister earlier this month to step down from the post ahead of the 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 a 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 had quit that office.

Government officials who worked with Shalom said that he is the “ultimate confidant,” is diligent and is known for ensuring that policy is pushed – and ultimately implemented – through what can be difficult government bureaucracy. During his terms at the Foreign Ministry and the Defense Ministry, Shalom frequently led sensitive diplomatic talks with foreign governments.