Lieberman Accuses Eisenkot of Seeking Coalition with Netanyahu; Gantz Responds
Translated & summarized from JDN by baba
Avigdor Lieberman accused Gadi Eisenkot of planning to form a government with Benjamin Netanyahu and ultra-Orthodox parties, while Benny Gantz defended Eisenkot and criticized Lieberman's approach. Lieberman also attacked Eisenkot's proposed conscription plan and his political experience. Gantz countered that Lieberman's attacks were a distraction from his own political maneuvering and advocated for a broad unity government led by Blue and White. The dispute highlights deep divisions over coalition building and national issues ahead of potential elections.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Avigdor Lieberman accused Gadi Eisenkot of seeking a coalition with Benjamin Netanyahu and ultra-Orthodox parties.
- Benny Gantz defended Gadi Eisenkot and accused Lieberman of leading Israel to a political dead end.
- Lieberman criticized Eisenkot's conscription plan, claiming it would not end exemptions for the ultra-Orthodox.
- Lieberman questioned Eisenkot's political experience, contrasting it with his own military background.
- Gantz asserted that Lieberman's attacks were a diversion from his own alleged plans for a minority government.
- Gantz called for a broad unity government, stating only Blue and White could achieve it.
Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, launched a sharp attack on Gadi Eisenkot on Friday, accusing him of working towards forming a government with Benjamin Netanyahu and the ultra-Orthodox parties after the elections. Benny Gantz, chairman of Blue and White, responded to Lieberman, defending Eisenkot and accusing Lieberman of leading Israel to a dead end.
Lieberman claimed that Eisenkot's "largest party" campaign is designed to siphon votes from other parties within the bloc, rather than expand its support base. He asserted that this move contradicts agreements made at a bloc leaders' meeting at Yair Lapid's home last month and harms unity. "What interests him is not being the largest party in the bloc of draft dodgers, but being larger than the Likud and reaching negotiations to form a government with Netanyahu from a position of strength," Lieberman stated, citing comments by Minister Miki Zohar about potential cooperation with Eisenkot, reports of President Isaac Herzog's initiative to prevent further elections, and White House briefings as evidence.
Lieberman also criticized Eisenkot's stances on conscription and the constitution. He argued that Eisenkot's conscription plan allows deferrals for up to 3% of draftees annually, approximately 4,500 yeshiva students, and includes a directorate to determine who qualifies for Torah study exemptions. Lieberman contended that this effectively means the exemption for the ultra-Orthodox will not be canceled. He used derogatory terms for yeshiva students and their representatives, calling them the "bloc of draft dodgers" and a "government of draft dodgers," while ignoring the value of Torah study for the ultra-Orthodox public.
In contrast, Lieberman stated his party's consistent demand for universal conscription and a constitution, recalling their refusal to join a coalition in 2019 over the conscription law. He reiterated that Yisrael Beiteinu will not participate in a government dependent on Ra'am or the Joint List, directly or indirectly. He denied that his positions aim to thwart a government led by Eisenkot, stating, "We do not change our principles according to polls nor adapt them to coalition negotiation needs."
Lieberman further alleged that Eisenkot is keeping the option of a minority government open as leverage against Netanyahu, aiming to serve first in a rotation. He believes securing a solid majority for the bloc's four parties is the way to prevent such a scenario. He also questioned Eisenkot's political experience, stating that military experience is not a substitute for political arena experience.
Gantz responded to the attack, saying, "30 years in Israeli politics, and Lieberman hasn't done 10% of what Gadi Eisenkot and I have done for the State of Israel." Gantz also claimed Lieberman's attacks stem from the exposure of his alleged plan to form a minority government with Naftali Bennett and Arab parties, a claim contradicting Lieberman's statement that he would not rely on them. "Lieberman, your attacks will not hide the dead end to which you are leading Israel," Gantz said. "There is only one solution: a Zionist unity government that crosses blocs. And only Blue and White can bring it."
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