Muslim Cabinet minister approved

Israel installed the first Muslim Cabinet minister in its 58-year history, with parliament approving his appointment 59 to 23.

The government billed Raleb Majadele's appointment as a step toward equality for Muslim Arabs, Israel's largest minority.

But hard-liners said the move was little more than political expediency, and Arab lawmakers dismissed the development, saying the government has little real interest in improving the lot of Israel's Arabs.

Majadele, a minister without portfolio, is from the centrist Labor Party.