Lieberman Accuses Eisenkot of Seeking Deal with Netanyahu

Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, has launched a sharp critique against Gadi Eisenkot, head of the HaTnuah HaYisraelit party, accusing him of attempting to weaken opposition allies to negotiate a government coalition with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the upcoming elections. Lieberman stated that Eisenkot's "largest party" campaign is designed to poach votes from his partners rather than strengthen the opposition bloc. He believes Eisenkot's ultimate goal is to gain leverage over the Likud party and negotiate from a position of strength to form a government with Netanyahu.

Lieberman likened Eisenkot to "Beni Gantz number two," asserting that Eisenkot's strategy undermines agreements made among opposition leaders on September 26. He suggested Eisenkot is focused on post-election scenarios, aiming to bypass Likud and secure a strong negotiating position with Netanyahu. Lieberman also pointed to statements by Minister Miki Zohar about potential cooperation with Eisenkot, President Yitzhak Herzog's initiative for a Netanyahu-Eisenkot government, and White House signals as contributing to his concerns. He further cited Eisenkot's past remarks calling the ultra-Orthodox Shas party "very broadly Zionist" and his proposed draft model, which would exempt approximately 4,500 students from religious academies annually, as evidence that the status quo on military conscription would likely continue.

In contrast, Lieberman emphasized Yisrael Beiteinu's consistent stance on universal conscription and a constitution for Israel, principles they have upheld since 2019, even refusing coalition offers over the draft law. He rejected claims that his party obstructs government formation, stating their principles are not subject to poll results or coalition negotiations.

Lieberman reiterated Yisrael Beiteinu's refusal to join any government dependent on Arab parties like Ra'am or the Joint List, citing recent actions by MK Ofer Cassif signing a petition supporting South Africa's ICJ case against Israel and MK Yasser Hujairat's comments on Hamas. He declared, "Whoever wants to form a government relying on Cassif and Hujairat, please. Yisrael Beiteinu will not participate."

Lieberman further speculated that Eisenkot aims to form a government with Netanyahu, Yitzhak Goldknopf of Agudat Yisrael, and Aryeh Deri of Shas, potentially using a minority government as a bargaining chip for the premiership rotation. He criticized Eisenkot's perceived personal ambition over a genuine desire for change, contrasting it with the experiences of former Chiefs of Staff like Yigal Yadin, Ehud Barak, and Beni Gantz, noting that military experience does not equate to political acumen. Lieberman concluded by urging voters to secure a decisive majority for the opposition bloc to form a "Zionist, liberal government" and prevent what he called the "worst government in the country's history" from continuing.