Lieberman Accuses Eisenkot of Seeking Alliance with Netanyahu; Gantz Defends Eisenkot
Translated & summarized from Alarab by baba
Avigdor Lieberman accused MK Gadi Eisenkot of seeking to form a government with Binyamin Netanyahu and Haredi parties, calling him "Beni Gantz 2." Lieberman also criticized Eisenkot's Haredi conscription plan and reiterated his party's refusal to join a government reliant on Arab parties. Beni Gantz defended Eisenkot, stating Lieberman has accomplished little compared to their achievements, and called for a Zionist unity government.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Avigdor Lieberman accused Gadi Eisenkot of seeking a coalition with Binyamin Netanyahu and Haredi parties.
- Lieberman labeled Gadi Eisenkot as "Beni Gantz 2" and criticized his Haredi conscription proposals.
- Lieberman affirmed Yisrael Beiteinu will not join a government supported by Arab parties.
- Beni Gantz defended Eisenkot, claiming Lieberman has achieved less than he and Eisenkot combined.
- Gantz called for a Zionist unity government, stating his party can achieve it.
Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, launched a sharp attack on fellow Member of Knesset Gadi Eisenkot, labeling him "Beni Gantz 2" and accusing him of aiming to form a government with Binyamin Netanyahu and the Haredi parties after the upcoming elections. Lieberman asserted that Eisenkot's campaign slogan, "The Largest Party," is intended to draw votes from within the same political camp rather than attract new voters. He believes Eisenkot's actions indicate a deliberate plan to form a coalition with the Likud party, stating that Eisenkot's goal is to surpass Likud in seat numbers and enter coalition negotiations with Netanyahu from a position of strength. Lieberman cited statements by Minister Miki Zohar, an initiative by President Yitzhak Herzog, and White House leaks as reinforcing his concerns about this scenario.
Lieberman also criticized Eisenkot's stance on the conscription of Haredi men into the military, claiming it would perpetuate their exemption from service. He recalled Eisenkot previously describing the Shas party as having "very broad Zionist components" and noted that Eisenkot's proposed conscription plan allows for deferment for up to 3% of the conscription-eligible age group. Lieberman emphasized that his party has long advocated for universal conscription without exception.
Regarding Arab parties, Lieberman reiterated that Yisrael Beiteinu will not join any government coalition that relies on them, either directly or indirectly. He stated, "Since the October 7 massacre, I have repeatedly emphasized that the Yisrael Beiteinu party will not participate in a coalition that relies on the United Arab List or the Joint List, neither with direct nor indirect support. Whoever wants to form a government and rely on Ofer Cassif and Hisham Hijrat, let them do as they wish, but Yisrael Beiteinu will not be part of it."
Lieberman concluded by suggesting that Eisenkot's personal ambitions are driving his political moves, stating, "I see here a personal ambition far greater than the real desire to rectify the injustices committed by the government of draft dodgers." He compared Eisenkot to former IDF chiefs of staff who entered politics and called for unity within the "recruits' camp" to form a Zionist and liberal government and replace the current one.
Beni Gantz, chairman of the National Unity Party, defended Eisenkot and responded to Lieberman's attack. Gantz stated, "Lieberman has spent 30 years in Israeli politics and has not accomplished 10% of what Gadi Eisenkot and I have done for the State of Israel." Gantz added that Lieberman has been "tense and attacking in all directions" since Gantz revealed his plan to form a minority government with Bennett and Arab parties. Gantz concluded, "Lieberman, your attacks will not hide the dead end you are leading Israel to. There is only one solution: a cross-camp Zionist unity government, and the National Unity Party alone can achieve this."
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