Liberman Rules Out Union With Eisenkot, Cites Vague Stance on Netanyahu

Avigdor Liberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, declared unequivocally on Wednesday that he will not unite with Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the "Yash!" party. Liberman cited Eisenkot's "vague" and unacceptable stance on potentially sitting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the primary reason for his refusal. "Unlike him, I speak clearly. He has a vague position, which is not acceptable to me," Liberman stated, referencing Eisenkot's ambiguous answers when asked if he would rule out sitting with Netanyahu.

Liberman announced his intention to try and dissuade Eisenkot from his current position regarding a potential coalition with Netanyahu and the exemption from military service for 4,500 Haredi men. These remarks were made at the "Decisive Time: Democracy and Society" conference hosted by Walla.

Liberman further explained his belief that individual parties, including those led by Gilad Erdan, Chili Tropper, and Benny Gantz, might not pass the electoral threshold on their own. However, he suggested they could collectively draw 4-3 seats from their bloc, emphasizing the urgent need to focus on unifying or consolidating the entire bloc. He reiterated that a union with Eisenkot is impossible due to a significant gap in their positions, contrasting his own clear communication with the ambiguity of others.

When questioned about the political wisdom of preemptively ruling out Netanyahu and the Haredi parties, Liberman invoked the principle of accountability following the "greatest massacre since the Holocaust." He argued that individuals who were in positions of responsibility during the event and failed to take responsibility, refused to establish a state commission of inquiry, and instead promoted conspiracy theories, should not be part of the next government. Liberman stressed that while political flexibility is sometimes necessary, it is unacceptable after such a tragedy, asserting that someone must be held accountable.