Gantz Warns Eisenkot: Bennett and Lieberman Will Demand Premiership
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Benny Gantz warned Gadi Eisenkot that Avigdor Lieberman and Naftali Bennett will demand the premiership, regardless of their party's electoral success. This warning comes amid rising tensions within the "change bloc" two weeks before elections. Bennett's earlier suggestion that Netanyahu could be a minister in his government drew sharp criticism, though he later retracted it. Both Eisenkot and Lieberman have explicitly ruled out serving with Netanyahu.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Benny Gantz warned Gadi Eisenkot that Bennett and Lieberman will demand the premiership, even if not the largest party.
- Bennett and Lieberman's circles deny any coordination regarding demanding the premiership.
- Gantz believes Bennett and Lieberman will demand the top job to justify alliances.
- Eisenkot is aiming to make his party the largest in the "change bloc."
- Bennett's suggestion of Netanyahu serving as a minister was later retracted.
- Eisenkot, Lieberman, and Golan have all rejected serving with Netanyahu.
With two weeks remaining until the elections, Benny Gantz, chairman of the Blue and White Party, has warned Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu Party, about a potential joint move by Avigdor Lieberman and Naftali Bennett. Gantz believes that both Lieberman and Bennett will demand to lead the government, even if their parties do not win the most seats in the bloc.
Gantz stated at a conference that Bennett and Lieberman would not settle for electoral success if they could not become prime minister, arguing they would demand the premiership to justify the "penalty" of allying with Arab parties. He predicted, "Read my lips, you'll see it happen."
However, sources close to Bennett and Lieberman have denied any coordination or discussions between them on this matter. A spokesperson for Lieberman commented, "We don't judge a person in distress."
These warnings come amid rising tensions within the "change bloc" of parties aiming to unseat the current government. This friction is exacerbated by Eisenkot's new campaign strategy to become the largest party in the bloc, potentially at the expense of other partners, and by Bennett's controversial remarks suggesting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could serve as a minister in a government he leads.
Bennett later clarified that he has no intention of sitting with Netanyahu, stating that Netanyahu bears direct responsibility for the October 7th events and must leave office. Eisenkot and Lieberman have both rejected the possibility of serving in a government with Netanyahu. Yair Golan also stated that Netanyahu would not serve in any government as long as it depends on the Democratic Party.
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