Lieberman Accuses Eisenkot of Seeking Coalition 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 aiming to form a government with Benjamin Netanyahu, Goldknopff, and Der'i. Lieberman alleged in a lengthy social media post that Eisenkot is keeping the option of a minority government open as leverage to become the first in rotation as prime minister. He also criticized Eisenkot's stance on conscription, noting that Eisenkot had defined Shas as a party with very broad Zionist components.

With 11 days until the election, Lieberman stated that Eisenkot's ambition is to be larger than the Likud party and negotiate from a position of strength. He claimed Eisenkot's campaign strategy of becoming the "largest party" is designed to draw votes within his own bloc rather than from the opposing bloc, contradicting agreements made by the "change bloc" leaders on September 26. Lieberman further argued that Eisenkot's lack of political experience, despite his military background, is reminiscent of other former military chiefs who entered politics, such as Yigal Allon, Ehud Barak, and even Yitzhak Rabin, who required time to regain political footing.

Benny Gantz, chairman of National Unity, responded by stating that Lieberman has accomplished less for Israel than Eisenkot and himself combined. Gantz suggested Lieberman's attacks stem from pressure following Gantz's exposure of Lieberman's plan to form a minority government with Bennett and Arab parties. He asserted that Lieberman's actions are leading Israel to a dead end.

News 12 recently reported that Eisenkot's party is shifting its strategy to campaign as the "largest party." Shaul Meredor, a senior party official, explained that this is to ensure Eisenkot receives the mandate to form the government before Netanyahu does, preventing Netanyahu from using his position to prolong a transitional government. Meredor also believes that if Yisrael becomes the largest party, Likud voters might switch, facilitating the formation of a functional government, citing past experiences where governments formed by smaller parties struggled.