Lieberman Accuses Eisenkot of Personal Ambition, Plotting Netanyahu Coalition

Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, launched a sharp attack on Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the National Unity Party, on Friday, accusing him of planning to form a government with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Yitzhak Goldknopf of United Torah Judaism, and Aryeh Deri of Shas. Lieberman claimed Eisenkot's campaign to increase his party's strength is driven by a personal desire to gain a powerful position in coalition negotiations, calling him "Gantz 2."

In a lengthy social media post, Lieberman asserted that Eisenkot is focused on the post-election period, aiming not just to be the largest party in the "change bloc" but to surpass the Likud and negotiate from a position of strength with Netanyahu. Lieberman suggested Eisenkot is keeping the option of a minority government on the table as leverage against Netanyahu to secure the top spot in a rotation government. "Unfortunately, I see here much more personal ambition than a genuine desire to correct the injustices of the draft-dodging government," Lieberman stated.

Lieberman also criticized Eisenkot's "largest party" campaign strategy, alleging it aims to draw voters from other parties within the same bloc rather than from the opposing bloc. He argued this move contradicts agreements made by bloc leaders on September 26 and could harm their unity. Lieberman further contrasted Eisenkot's military experience with the need for political experience, citing former prime ministers like Yigal Allon, Ehud Barak, Benny Gantz, and Yitzhak Rabin, who he said needed years to gain political experience.

The attack comes as Eisenkot's party shifted its strategy to aim for becoming the largest party in the bloc. A senior National Unity Party official, Shaul Meredor, explained to Channel 12 that this strategy is intended to ensure Eisenkot receives the mandate to form the government before Netanyahu. Meredor elaborated that if Netanyahu were to receive the mandate first, he would control the Knesset and do everything to remain a transitional government.