Lieberman Accuses Eisenkot of Plotting to Save Netanyahu
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
Avigdor Lieberman accused Gadi Eisenkot of plotting to form a unity government with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, undermining the "national-Zionist bloc." Lieberman cited statements from Minister Miki Zohar and President Isaac Herzog as evidence. He reiterated Yisrael Beiteinu's refusal to join a coalition reliant on Arab parties. Benny Gantz responded, criticizing Lieberman and advocating for a unity government that National Unity can provide.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Avigdor Lieberman accused Gadi Eisenkot of planning to form a unity government with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.
- Lieberman stated Eisenkot's campaign aims to draw votes from within the "national-Zionist bloc" to strengthen his negotiating position.
- Lieberman cited statements by Minister Miki Zohar and President Isaac Herzog as evidence of Eisenkot's alleged plan.
- Lieberman reiterated Yisrael Beiteinu's refusal to join a coalition dependent on Arab parties, citing specific Knesset members.
- Benny Gantz criticized Lieberman's attacks and advocated for a unity government that National Unity can provide.
Avigdor Lieberman, leader of Yisrael Beiteinu, has sharply criticized Gadi Eisenkot, accusing him of maneuvering to form a unity government with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. Lieberman posted on social media that Eisenkot's "big party" campaign is not aimed at shifting votes from "draft dodgers" to those who serve, but rather at drawing votes from within the "national-Zionist bloc" itself. According to Lieberman, this strategy undermines agreements made by bloc leaders on September 26 and serves Eisenkot's goal of securing more mandates than the Likud party to negotiate a unity government with Netanyahu.
Lieberman pointed to statements by Minister Miki Zohar about potential cooperation with Eisenkot, President Isaac Herzog's initiative for a Netanyahu-Eisenkot government, and White House briefings as evidence of this plan. He further accused Eisenkot of seeking to form a government with Derri and others, while using the possibility of a minority government as leverage against Netanyahu for the rotation position. Lieberman also expressed concern over Yisrael Beiteinu's positions on army conscription and the constitution, recalling Eisenkot's past remarks about the Shas party and Yisrael Beiteinu's consistent stance on these issues since 2019.
Lieberman reiterated Yisrael Beiteinu's refusal to join a coalition dependent on Arab parties, citing the support of Knesset members Ofer Cassif and Yasser Hegrat for initiatives critical of Israel. He stated that Yisrael Beiteinu would not be part of a government relying on their votes. Lieberman concluded that the only way to prevent this scenario is for the bloc parties to achieve a strong majority for a "Zionist and liberal government" that prevents Eisenkot from "saving Netanyahu again."
Benny Gantz, leader of National Unity, responded to Lieberman's post, stating that Lieberman has accomplished far less than Eisenkot and himself in Israeli politics. Gantz accused Lieberman of lashing out due to pressure and leading Israel into a dead end, advocating instead for a "Zionist unity government" that crosses bloc lines, which he claims only National Unity can achieve.
Mentioned
