Israel’s Foreign Minsiter, Avigdor Lieberman, has relieved Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon of his position in his party’s list reports Israel’s Channel 2.

Lieberman, who is founder and chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party has replaced Ayalon on the list with MK Faina Kirschenbaum.

Ayalon is well known for his recent campaign in behalf of Jewish refugees from Arab lands, and an incident with Turkey’s ambassador to Israel in which the Turkish flag was not displayed, and a hovering cameramen filmed the Turkish ambassador sitting on a lower sofa.

Israeli political consultant Jonny Daniels told The Algemeiner that the move was political. “Basically Ayalon doesn’t bring any seats to LBet (Lieberman’s party Likud Beiteinu). He was a token Israeli that added to them. Now Lieberman with Bibi has enough people that have good English and can appeal to that crowd,” he said.

But there may have been a personal aspect as well says Daniels, “It’s also a known fact that Lieberman and Ayalon didn’t get on that well.”

UPDATE: Ayalon posted the following on his Facebook page:

“Today, I was informed by Yisrael Beytenu Chairman Avigdor Liberman that I will not be a candidate for the next Knesset.

During the last four years it has been my privilege to serve as Deputy Foreign Minister of the State of Israel during complex and challenging times.

Whichever path I choose, I will continue to work for a strengthened and more prosperous Israel, whether it is in the diplomatic, security or economic spheres. I will continue focusing all of my efforts on the important tasks ahead until the end of the current term, and tomorrow I will participate in the joint cabinet meeting with the Czech and German governments.”