Liberman Unveils Yisrael Beiteinu List, Criticizes Gantz and Netanyahu

Avigdor Liberman, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, presented his party's slate for the 26th Knesset on Sunday, outlining his vision for the next government. A key point of contention for Liberman is his relationship with National Unity party leader Benny Gantz, stating there is a significant gap between their approaches. Liberman accused Gantz and his associates of focusing on making their party the largest, rather than on increasing the overall bloc's mandate. "What interests me is to bring as many mandates as possible to the bloc. It is not enough to be the largest party when the entire bloc does not have enough mandates. This is not ego. This is political logic," Liberman stated.

Liberman also declared that Yisrael Beiteinu would not pre-commit to supporting the candidate of the largest party in the bloc for prime minister. He further criticized the possibility of draft exemptions for the ultra-Orthodox, vowing to legislate a universal conscription law that would apply to all citizens, regardless of religion. "We will not have draft dodgers. Everyone will stand in line at the recruitment office," he asserted.

Looking ahead, Liberman expressed his intention to form a government composed solely of "Zionist parties," suggesting that the Likud party could join later, but only without Benjamin Netanyahu. He also detailed six key initiatives his party would pursue post-election: a state inquiry commission for the October 7th events, universal conscription, mandatory core curriculum studies, a two-term limit for prime ministers, a national task force against organized crime, and the establishment of a constitution for Israel.

Liberman revisited a 2016 document he presented to the security cabinet detailing threats from Gaza, including scenarios of Nohba forces infiltrating border communities. He claimed that his warnings were dismissed and that the events of October 7th, which he predicted, could have been prevented had his recommendations been followed. He concluded by emphasizing his party's commitment to a Jewish, Zionist, and democratic state, opposing religious coercion and advocating for coexistence.