Lieberman Accuses Netanyahu of Seeking War Pretext Before Elections

Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday of seeking a pretext for war or a military operation ahead of the upcoming elections, which are 19 days away. Lieberman suggested Netanyahu's aim is to distract from domestic issues, stating that "this is what concerns him, not solutions." He further elaborated that Netanyahu is "not looking for solutions."

Lieberman's remarks coincided with a lengthy post on X, where he warned that the United States might recognize a Palestinian state encompassing the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem within approximately two and a half years. He claimed that Netanyahu's policies are accelerating this outcome. Lieberman asserted that Israel, which previously enjoyed bipartisan support in the U.S., has become a "one-party state." He predicted with "200%" certainty that the U.S. will recognize a Palestinian state in "all the territories of Judea and Samaria, the Jordan Valley, the Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem" within that timeframe, using biblical terminology for the West Bank.

He alleged that senior officials in the U.S. State Department and National Security Council unanimously support such recognition, attributing the delay to Israel's strong standing in American public opinion and bipartisan political backing. Lieberman argued that Israel's standing has reached an "unprecedented low," and that the next U.S. president, regardless of party, will likely pursue recognition of a Palestinian state, potentially including a UN Security Council resolution for full membership.

Lieberman held Netanyahu responsible, stating that his current actions "effectively, consciously aid in the establishment of a Palestinian state." He proposed that Israel has about two years, until the next U.S. presidential election, to define its "ultimate goal" regarding the Palestinian Authority, West Bank, Jordan Valley, and Gaza. He criticized Netanyahu's approach of ignoring escalating problems, drawing a parallel to the October 7th attack and claiming Netanyahu ignored his prior warnings about Hamas.

He also claimed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is initiating a "planned and calculated step" starting with legislative elections on November 28th, which he believes will escalate into a "broad confrontation with Israel" lasting until the November 2028 U.S. presidential election. Lieberman's proposed solution involves eliminating Hamas in Gaza, dismantling the Palestinian Authority, and abrogating the Oslo Accords. However, he stressed the need for international agreement on who would govern the West Bank and Gaza post-dismantlement to prevent Hamas or Islamic Jihad from filling the void. He strongly opposes a return to military rule or Israel managing daily Palestinian life, suggesting Jordan administer civilian life and public order in the West Bank via a police force, while Israel retains overall security responsibility. For Gaza, he suggested "serious Arab entities" could manage daily life after Israel "completes the mission and eliminates Hamas rule."