Lieberman Rules Out Support for Minority Government, Disrupting Eisenkot's Plan
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, declared he will not support any minority government, thwarting National Unity chairman Gadi Eisenkot's contingency plan. Lieberman aims to form a coalition of "Zionist parties" only, excluding Arab and ultra-Orthodox factions. This stance emerges amid internal disagreements within the "change bloc" regarding the selection of a prime ministerial candidate. Eisenkot's prior plan involved forming a minority government without negotiating with Arab parties, contingent on strict conditions like a universal draft law.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Avigdor Lieberman will not support any minority government, even for a transition period.
- Lieberman intends to form a coalition exclusively with Zionist parties, excluding Arab and ultra-Orthodox factions.
- Gadi Eisenkot's plan to form a minority government if the change bloc lacks a majority is now blocked.
- Lieberman suggested the Likud party could be a partner if Benjamin Netanyahu is not its leader.
- Disagreements within the change bloc led to delaying the decision on the prime ministerial candidate until after elections.
Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, announced Thursday that he will not support any minority government, effectively blocking a potential plan by National Unity chairman Gadi Eisenkot. Eisenkot had reportedly considered forming a minority government if the "change bloc" failed to secure a 61-seat majority, without negotiating with Arab parties.
Lieberman stated clearly on the social media platform X that his party would not back a minority government, "not even for a transition period." He further clarified that he intends to form a coalition composed "only of Zionist parties," explicitly excluding Ra'am, the Joint List, Shas, and United Torah Judaism. He also suggested that "the Likud without Netanyahu could be a significant partner."
Speaking at a conference at the Israel Democracy Institute, Lieberman reiterated his refusal to sit with Shas, United Torah Judaism, Ra'am, or the Joint List, arguing that the "status quo is gone" and that the country has moved "10 steps towards a halachic state."
Lieberman's remarks come amid growing disagreements within the change bloc. While Eisenkot had hoped for established rules regarding the bloc's prime ministerial candidate, Lieberman and Bennett opposed this, and bloc leaders ultimately decided to address the issue only after the elections, during a meeting at Yair Lapid's home.
Previously, National Unity had launched a campaign to become the largest party in the bloc, believing it crucial to receive the mandate to form a government first. Eisenkot's contingency plan, revealed in late July, involved setting strict prerequisites for forming a minority government, including a universal draft or national service law. His strategy also stipulated no negotiations with Arab or ultra-Orthodox parties regarding abstentions or support, aiming to place Arab Knesset members in a difficult position with their constituents if their opposition would lead to Itamar Ben-Gvir remaining in government or Benjamin Netanyahu retaining the premiership.
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