Gantz and Liberman Trade Barbs Over Corruption and Election Strategy

MK Yulia Malinovsky of Yisrael Beiteinu launched a sharp attack on Benny Gantz, leader of the National Unity party, on Wednesday, criticizing his decision to run in the upcoming elections.

Malinovsky called Gantz's candidacy "pathetic" and a waste of public funds, asserting that his party has no chance of passing the electoral threshold. She claimed Gantz would spend 15 million shekels of taxpayer money on campaigning despite knowing his party's low poll numbers, attributing this to personal ego.

Gantz responded forcefully, accusing Yisrael Beiteinu of being "the most corrupt party in the history of Israel." He stated that National Unity aims to form a broad, Zionist government and speaks truthfully to the public, unlike Yisrael Beiteinu. Gantz alleged that Yisrael Beiteinu's attempt to deceive the public and form a government supported by Arab parties was a major political fraud.

He further accused Yisrael Beiteinu's leader, Avigdor Liberman, of pushing for a government with the Balad party in 2020 and continuing that plan today. Gantz also pointed to corruption allegations against senior members of Yisrael Beiteinu, stating that "no corrupt party has had almost all its senior officials investigated and imprisoned like Yisrael Beiteinu."