Lieberman Slams Eisenkot, Accuses Him of Plotting Government with Netanyahu

Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, launched a sharp attack on Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the National Unity Party, accusing him of personal ambition to gain leverage in coalition negotiations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In a post on X, Lieberman claimed Eisenkot's "Big Party" campaign aims to undermine other parties within the right-wing bloc rather than shift votes from the religious bloc to the secular one. He asserted this move contradicts agreements made by bloc leaders on September 26 and harms their unity.

Lieberman suggested Eisenkot is preparing for a post-election scenario where he aims to surpass the Likud party in strength and negotiate with Netanyahu from a position of power. He cited comments by Minister Miki Zohar about potential cooperation with Eisenkot, reports of President Isaac Herzog's initiative for a joint Netanyahu-Eisenkot government, and White House briefings as evidence. Lieberman also criticized Eisenkot's stances on conscription and the constitution, stating Eisenkot's draft plan, which allows up to 30% of a conscription class to defer service and establishes a committee to determine who studies Torah, effectively maintains the status quo. He also recalled Eisenkot's past description of Shas as a party with "very broad Zionist components."

In contrast, Lieberman reiterated Yisrael Beiteinu's commitment to universal conscription and a constitution for Israel. He recalled that his party refused to join a coalition in 2019 over the conscription law, despite pressure and temptations. Lieberman clarified that Yisrael Beiteinu will not join a government reliant on Ra'am or the Joint List, either directly or indirectly. He pointed to MK Ofer Cassif's support for South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice and MK Yasser Hijrat's remarks about Hamas in an i24NEWS interview as reasons for his party's refusal.

Lieberman believes Eisenkot is working towards forming a government with Netanyahu, Yitzhak Goldknopf of United Torah Judaism, and Aryeh Deri of Shas, while keeping a minority government option open as leverage against Netanyahu to secure the first spot in a rotation. He compared Eisenkot to former IDF chiefs of staff who entered politics, like Yigal Allon, Ehud Barak, and Benny Gantz, suggesting military experience doesn't guarantee political success. Lieberman called for the four bloc parties to secure a solid majority for a "Zionist and liberal" government, preventing Eisenkot from "saving Netanyahu for the second time." He expressed confidence in the bloc's victory on October 27, stating that after four years of a "draft-dodging government" and a difficult war, Israel must not miss the opportunity to replace "the worst government in the history of the State of Israel."

Benny Gantz, chairman of the National Unity Party, responded to Lieberman, stating that after 30 years in Israeli politics, Lieberman has not achieved 10% of what Eisenkot and he have done for Israel. Gantz claimed Lieberman is under pressure and lashing out since Gantz exposed his plan for a minority government with Bennett and Arab parties. Gantz asserted that Lieberman's attacks won't hide the deadlock he is leading Israel into and that the only solution is a "cross-bloc Zionist unity government," which only National Unity can bring.