Lieberman Accuses Eisenkot of Seeking Netanyahu Coalition
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, fiercely criticized Gadi Eisenkot, accusing him of seeking to form a government with Benjamin Netanyahu and other parties. Lieberman alleged Eisenkot is using the possibility of a minority government as leverage for the prime minister's rotation. Benny Gantz defended Eisenkot, stating Lieberman's attacks stem from pressure after his minority government plan was exposed. Eisenkot's party is launching a "Greatest Party" campaign to secure the mandate to form the government before Netanyahu.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Avigdor Lieberman accused Gadi Eisenkot of aiming to form a government with Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Lieberman claimed Eisenkot is keeping a minority government option open for leverage in rotation talks.
- Benny Gantz stated Lieberman's attacks are due to pressure after his minority government plan was exposed.
- Eisenkot's party is launching a "Greatest Party" campaign to secure the mandate to form the government.
- Shaul Meredor explained the campaign aims to ensure Eisenkot gets the mandate before Netanyahu.
- Lieberman criticized Eisenkot's political inexperience, comparing him to other former military leaders.
Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, launched a sharp attack on Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, accusing him of aiming to form a government with Benjamin Netanyahu, Goldschmidt, and Der'i. Lieberman alleged in a lengthy post that Eisenkot is keeping the option of a minority government open as leverage to become first in rotation for prime minister. He also criticized Eisenkot's stance on conscription, noting that Eisenkot had described Shas as a party with very broad Zionist components.
With 11 days remaining until the elections, Lieberman stated that Eisenkot's ambition is not to be the largest party in the 'serving bloc' but to surpass the Likud and negotiate from a position of strength to form a government with Netanyahu. Lieberman accused Eisenkot of personal ambition rather than a genuine desire to rectify the "wrongs of the draft-dodging government." He also criticized Eisenkot's "Greatest Party" campaign, asserting it aims to draw votes from within Eisenkot's own bloc, contradicting agreements made by the "change bloc" leaders on September 26th to refrain from attacking each other.
Lieberman further commented on Eisenkot's "lack of political experience," drawing parallels to former military leaders like Yigal Allon, Ehud Barak, and Benny Gantz, suggesting that military experience does not substitute for political acumen. He recalled that even Yitzhak Rabin needed years to regain experience and be re-elected after his first term as prime minister.
Benny Gantz responded to Lieberman's criticisms, stating that Lieberman has achieved less for Israel than both he and Eisenkot have in their 30 years in politics. Gantz claimed Lieberman is under pressure since Gantz exposed his plan to form a minority government with Bennett and Arab parties, and that Lieberman's attacks will not hide the dead end he is leading Israel toward.
News 12 previously reported that Eisenkot's party was changing strategy to launch a "Greatest Party" campaign. Senior party official Shaul Meredor explained this move is intended to ensure Eisenkot receives the mandate to form the government before Netanyahu does, to prevent Netanyahu from maintaining control through a transitional government. Meredor also suggested that a significant lead over the Likud could attract Likud voters, emphasizing the need for a functional government led by the largest party.
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