Lieberman Rejects Minority Government, Insists on Zionist Coalition Without Arabs or Haredim
Translated & summarized from Arab48 by baba
Avigdor Lieberman, leader of Yisrael Beiteinu, declared he will not support a minority government and insists on a coalition of only Zionist parties, excluding Netanyahu. This position conflicts with Gadi Eisenkot's plan to form a government with fewer than a majority of seats to oust Netanyahu. Recent polls show opposition parties falling short of a majority, making alternative government formation complex. Lieberman believes Likud members are disillusioned with Netanyahu and would join a Zionist coalition.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Avigdor Lieberman rejects minority governments and insists on a Zionist coalition excluding Netanyahu, Arab, and Haredi parties.
- Gadi Eisenkot plans to form a government with 58-59 Knesset members to remove Netanyahu, even if temporary.
- Recent polls suggest opposition parties may not achieve a parliamentary majority, complicating alternative government formation.
- Lieberman claims Likud members are ready to join a Zionist coalition to achieve a majority.
- A Channel 13 poll shows majority opposition support for Arab party backing to replace Netanyahu, an option rejected by Lieberman and Eisenkot.
Avigdor Lieberman, head of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, announced on Thursday his refusal to support any minority government, even a transitional one. He is committed to forming a coalition exclusively of Zionist parties, excluding Netanyahu, Arab parties, and Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties. This stance contrasts with a proposal previously considered by Gadi Eisenkot, head of the National Unity party, aimed at ending Netanyahu's premiership without a parliamentary majority.
Lieberman stated on the social media platform X that his party's position is "clear and decisive." He elaborated that they "will form a coalition composed solely of Zionist parties, without the United Arab List, without the Joint List, and without Shas and United Torah Judaism." He reiterated his refusal to sit in a government headed by Netanyahu, suggesting that the Likud party could be a "significant partner" without Netanyahu, but "with Netanyahu, even if the world turns upside down, we will not sit with him under any circumstances."
Lieberman expressed his belief that his bloc would achieve a "solid majority in the next elections, despite the polls." He claimed to know Likud Knesset members who "realize that Netanyahu has turned them into secondary contractors for Goldknopf and Der'i" and are ready to join a Zionist coalition to complete the required majority.
This development comes as Eisenkot announced his intention to seek the formation of a government based on 58 or 59 Knesset members if his bloc does not secure a majority, even if it is short-lived. The goal would be to remove Netanyahu from the premiership, with Eisenkot potentially heading a transitional government leading to new elections.
However, recent polls indicate a decline in the number of anti-Netanyahu Zionist opposition seats to around 55. Results are mixed regarding whether Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Zelicha's list will surpass the electoral threshold, complicating calculations for forming an alternative government. A Channel 13 poll on Wednesday showed 61% of opposition voters favoring a government supported by Arab parties or their abstention if it's the only way to replace Netanyahu, with 20% opposed. Both Eisenkot and Lieberman, however, reject this option, insisting on a Zionist coalition that excludes Netanyahu.
Mentioned
