Lieberman Party Rules Out Arab, Haredi Coalitions; Eyes Top Post
Translated & summarized from Cursorinfo by baba
Rafi Ben Shitrit, representing Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu party, declared they will not form a government with Arab or Haredi parties. The party is also reportedly strategizing for Lieberman to claim the premiership post-election, challenging Gadi Eisenkot. If Benjamin Netanyahu falls short of a majority, Lieberman plans to build a right-wing bloc with Naftali Bennett and potentially Bezalel Smotrich, avoiding reliance on Arab parties.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Yisrael Beiteinu will not form a government with Arab or anti-Zionist parties, stated Rafi Ben Shitrit.
- The party also refuses to partner with Haredi parties due to draft evasion and curriculum issues.
- Lieberman's campaign is reportedly planning for him to seek the premiership after the election.
- Lieberman aims to build a right-wing bloc with Naftali Bennett and potentially Bezalel Smotrich if Netanyahu lacks a majority.
- The strategy seeks to form a coalition without Arab factions or the Democratic party.
Rafi Ben Shitrit, a candidate for Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu party, stated on Sunday that the party will not form a government with Arab parties, including Ra'am, or any "anti-Zionist or non-Zionist" lists, warning of a "Hungarian model" scenario.
Ben Shitrit reiterated the party's long-standing position against cooperating with Haredi parties as long as they encourage draft evasion and do not teach core curriculum subjects. He described Yisrael Beiteinu as a "right, right, right, national, liberal party" aiming to form a government solely with "Zionist parties."
Meanwhile, a political plan is reportedly being formulated within Lieberman's campaign headquarters, aiming to position him for the premiership immediately after the elections. The strategy involves challenging Gadi Eisenkot and securing the first rotation spot for prime minister, leveraging Lieberman's experience as former defense, foreign affairs, and finance minister. Lieberman reportedly views Eisenkot as lacking the necessary managerial and political experience.
Should Benjamin Netanyahu fail to secure 61 Knesset seats, Lieberman intends to attempt forming a new right-wing bloc with Naftali Bennett and Ofer Winter, the latter reportedly unaware of the plan. The strategy also includes appealing to backbenchers in Likud and seeking to bring Bezalel Smotrich into a government led by Lieberman, believing Smotrich would accept a "right-wing leadership."
This approach aims to create a coalition without relying on Arab factions or the Democratic party, thereby fulfilling commitments to Yisrael Beiteinu's voters. Lieberman previously issued a warning about a "dangerous scenario" that must be prevented.
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