Lieberman Accuses Eisenkot of Seeking Coalition with Netanyahu
Translated & summarized from Kan News by baba
Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, accused Gadi Eisenkot of plotting to form a government with Benjamin Netanyahu, Goldknopf, and Der'i after the elections. Lieberman claimed Eisenkot's campaign aims to draw votes from within his own bloc and secure a strong negotiating position with Netanyahu. He urged bloc parties to secure a solid majority to prevent this outcome, warning that Eisenkot's political inexperience mirrors that of other former military leaders who entered politics.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Avigdor Lieberman accused Gadi Eisenkot of planning a coalition government with Benjamin Netanyahu, Goldknopf, and Der'i.
- Lieberman stated Eisenkot's campaign aims to draw votes from within his own bloc, not from opposing blocs.
- He alleged Eisenkot seeks a strong negotiating position with Netanyahu after the elections.
- Lieberman warned against Eisenkot helping Netanyahu form a government for a second time.
- He compared Eisenkot's political inexperience to that of former military chiefs Benny Gantz and Yitzhak Rabin.
Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, launched a sharp attack on Gadi Eisenkot via a post on social media platform X. Lieberman claimed that Eisenkot's "Big Party" campaign is not aimed at shifting votes from those who avoid military service to those who serve, but rather at drawing votes from within Eisenkot's own bloc. He asserted that this strategy contradicts agreements made among bloc leaders on September 26, harms unity, and raises questions about Eisenkot's true motives.
Lieberman alleged that Eisenkot is planning for the post-election period, with the goal of surpassing the Likud party and entering coalition negotiations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from a position of strength. He cited statements from Minister Miki Zohar about potential cooperation with Eisenkot, reports of President Isaac Herzog's initiative for a Netanyahu-Eisenkot government, and briefings from the White House as evidence that these plans are coalescing.
According to Lieberman, Eisenkot is working towards forming a government that includes Netanyahu, Goldknopf, and Der'i, while keeping the option of a minority government on the table as leverage to become the primary rotation partner in a future government. Lieberman suggested that Eisenkot's actions are driven more by personal ambition than a genuine desire to rectify perceived injustices of the current government.
To counter this scenario, Lieberman called for the four bloc parties to secure a solid majority, enabling the formation of a "Zionist and liberal" government and preventing Eisenkot from helping Netanyahu again. He addressed claims that Yisrael Beiteinu's stance is hindering the formation of an Eisenkot-led government, stating that the party adheres to its principles regardless of polls or coalition needs.
Lieberman also drew parallels between Eisenkot's lack of political experience and that of former military chiefs who entered politics, mentioning Benny Gantz and Yitzhak Rabin, and argued that military rank and experience do not substitute for political acumen.
Mentioned
