Lieberman Accuses Eisenkot of Personal Ambition, Plotting to Join Netanyahu Government
Translated & summarized from Kipa by baba
Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, fiercely criticized Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the National Unity Party, accusing him of aiming to form a government with Benjamin Netanyahu. Lieberman claimed Eisenkot's personal ambition is driving his campaign to be the largest party in his bloc. This strategy, according to Lieberman, contradicts bloc agreements and could harm unity. A senior National Unity official explained the strategy is to ensure Eisenkot gets the mandate to form a government before Netanyahu.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Avigdor Lieberman accused Gadi Eisenkot of planning to form a government with Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Lieberman alleged Eisenkot's campaign is driven by personal ambition for a strong negotiating position.
- Lieberman stated Eisenkot is keeping a minority government option open as leverage against Netanyahu.
- Lieberman criticized Eisenkot's strategy to become the largest party in his bloc.
- A National Unity official said the strategy aims to ensure Eisenkot gets the government mandate first.
- Lieberman compared Eisenkot's political inexperience to that of other former IDF chiefs of staff.
Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, launched a sharp attack on Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the National Unity Party, on Friday. Lieberman accused Eisenkot of planning to form a government with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, United Torah Judaism chairman Yitzhak Goldknopf, and Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, calling him "Gantz 2."
In a lengthy social media post, Lieberman alleged that Eisenkot's campaign to increase his party's strength is driven by a personal desire to gain a powerful position in coalition negotiations. "As time passes, the picture becomes clearer. Gadi Eisenkot is planning for the day after the elections, and what interests him is not being the largest party in the 'evaders' bloc, but being larger than Likud and arriving from a position of strength to negotiate the formation of a government with Netanyahu," he claimed.
Lieberman further stated that Eisenkot is keeping the option of a minority government on the table as leverage against Netanyahu, aiming to secure the first spot in a rotation for prime minister. "Unfortunately, I see here much more personal ambition than a genuine desire to correct the injustices of the 'evaders' government," Lieberman added.
Lieberman also criticized Eisenkot's "largest party" campaign strategy, asserting 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.
The Yisrael Beiteinu chairman also questioned Eisenkot's political experience, comparing him to former IDF chiefs of staff like Yigal Allon, Ehud Barak, and Benny Gantz who entered politics. "Ranks and military experience are no substitute for political experience," he wrote, noting that even Yitzhak Rabin needed years to gain political experience before returning as prime minister.
This attack comes as Eisenkot has shifted his strategy to campaigning to be the largest party in the bloc. A senior party official, Shaul Meredor, explained to Channel 12 that this move 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 do everything to remain in power, potentially leading to a prolonged transitional government.
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