Israeli Politicians Debate Coalition Terms and Election Strategies
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
Avigdor Lieberman and Yoaz Hendel presented coalition demands, including universal conscription, at a democracy festival. Lieberman accused Prime Minister Netanyahu of seeking a pre-election military move for political reasons. Several politicians, including former Prime Ministers Naftali Bennett and Gadi Eisenkot, criticized Netanyahu and outlined their conditions for future government participation. The discussions focused on coalition makeup, security policies, and the upcoming elections.
The story in 7 lines · by baba
- Avigdor Lieberman demanded a universal conscription law for all citizens as a condition for joining a future government.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was accused by Lieberman of seeking a military operation for political gain before elections.
- Yoaz Hendel stated he would not join a government with "anti-Zionist" Haredi or Arab parties.
- Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett blamed Netanyahu for the October 7th failures and refused to sit with him.
- Itamar Ben-Gvir advocated for a "full right-wing government" and the death penalty for terrorists.
- Gadi Eisenkot dismissed the likelihood of a pre-election military strike and criticized recent appointments.
- Politicians presented their coalition demands and criticisms of rivals at the Democracy Festival in Glilot.
Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, and Yoaz Hendel, chairman of the Reservists Party, outlined their conditions for joining a future coalition government at the Democracy Festival in Glilot. Lieberman insisted on a universal conscription law applying to all citizens, stating, "Conscription for everyone, without it there is no government. We will not compromise one millimeter." He also declared he would not sit with Arab parties and called for a "serving coalition." Lieberman further accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of seeking a military operation for political gain before the elections, asserting, "Netanyahu has no security considerations but rather rule considerations."
Hendel clarified he is not aligned with either major political bloc and will not join a government with "anti-Zionist" parties, whether Haredi or Arab, that do not serve in the military or recognize Hamas as a terror organization. He stated, "We want only a Zionist government."
Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir of Otzma Yehudit expressed his preference for a "full right-wing government" and warned against Ofer Winter potentially aligning with the left. Ben-Gvir claimed he prevented an attempt to oust Netanyahu, but suggested Netanyahu favors a government with Gadi Eisenkot. Ben-Gvir also advocated for a death penalty for terrorists and stated the police were the only organization that functioned on October 7th, calling hostage deals that led to the release of figures like Sinwar the cause of the attack.
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett also sharply criticized Netanyahu, holding him directly responsible for the October 7th failures and accusing him of leading Israel to ruin. Bennett ruled out sitting with Netanyahu in any government and rejected the establishment of a Palestinian state or the division of Jerusalem. He also alleged that individuals close to Netanyahu received money from Qatar, calling it "the greatest betrayal in the history of the country."
Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the "Yashar!" Party, deemed a pre-election military strike by Netanyahu unlikely due to the involvement of the security cabinet. He criticized recent appointments based on personal loyalty rather than expertise and predicted that the bloc opposing Netanyahu would win over 60 seats. Eisenkot also stated he would only form a government with parties that recognize Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, support universal conscription, and view Hamas as an enemy to be destroyed. He vowed not to allow Netanyahu to serve as interim prime minister.
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