Liberman defends tourism minister after reports of late-night debauchery

Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman on Thursday came out in support of Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov following reports of his Yisrael Beytenu colleague’s wild after-hours lifestyle.

Liberman, who heads the party, lauded Misezhnikov as one of the best-performing ministers in the government.

“I’m not interested in what he does in his spare time,” Liberman said, adding that he had spent some recreation time with Misezhnikov during the 15 years they have known each other.

“I admit that his behavior is not like that of Knesset members Menahem Moses or Yisrael Eichler from (the ultra-Orthodox) United Torah Judaism, but it is still a far cry from what was described in the media,” he said.

Earlier this week, media reports quoted disgruntled bodyguards of Misezhnikov, who claimed the minister’s late-night exploits in dubious locations interfered with their security protocols.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the report, which included the claim that Misezhnikov had on occasion been too hung over to attend important meetings, “troubling.”