Lieberman Claims Netanyahu Prepares for Election Defeat

Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, stated in a rare interview conducted at his home that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is already preparing for a potential defeat in the upcoming elections. The interview, published by Maariv, offered a glimpse into Lieberman's personal life, contrasting with his usual public persona as a stern statesman. He spoke candidly, sometimes with irony, and appeared to control the interview's direction.

Lieberman addressed persistent questions about alleged ties to Russian intelligence, dismissing them with a smile. He also explained his use of a basic phone without internet or WhatsApp, citing a desire to avoid smartphone addiction, which he observes in his children and grandchildren. A more serious anecdote involved an incident where Lieberman intervened to stop the bullying of his ten-year-old son, admitting he might handle such a situation differently now due to increased calmness with age.

Reflecting on his childhood in the Soviet Union, Lieberman described how early experiences with anti-Semitism and learning to confront the strongest aggressor shaped his worldview and approach to both personal and international politics. He drew a parallel to current pressures on Netanyahu, suggesting that the prime minister's constant stress hinders effective decision-making.

With extensive experience in various ministerial roles, including finance, defense, and foreign affairs, Lieberman presented his background as a key qualification for the premiership. He criticized Netanyahu's past policies regarding Hamas, including opposing ceasefire agreements and Qatari funding for Gaza, asserting that a more decisive approach would have prevented the October 7th attacks. Lieberman positioned himself as holding a tougher security stance than Netanyahu and ruled out potential coalition partnerships with Mansour Abbas's party and ultra-Orthodox parties.

Lieberman's most striking claim was that Netanyahu is currently assembling the Likud party list not to win the next election, but to ensure loyalty from lawmakers who would support him if the party moves into opposition. He believes this strategy is designed to protect Netanyahu from internal dissent following a potential electoral loss. Lieberman outlined his own immediate goals: to replace the current government and subsequently become prime minister, while also showcasing a more personal side to his public image.