Lieberman Accuses Eisenkot of Seeking Coalition with Netanyahu

Days before the election, Yisrael Beiteinu party chairman Avigdor Lieberman launched a sharp attack on Gadi Eisenkot, head of the National Unity party, accusing him of seeking to form a government with Benjamin Netanyahu and the ultra-Orthodox parties. Lieberman stated that Eisenkot's "largest party" campaign was not aimed at consolidating votes within their bloc but at drawing them away from within the bloc itself, potentially undermining unity. Lieberman alleged that Eisenkot's true goal was to emerge stronger than the Likud party and enter coalition negotiations with Netanyahu from a position of strength, possibly aiming for a rotation government leadership. Lieberman also pointed to comments from Minister Miki Zohar and reports of President Isaac Herzog's initiatives as evidence supporting his claims, alongside Eisenkot's allies' stances on conscription and constitutional issues.

Lieberman denied accusations that he was trying to thwart Eisenkot's potential government, reiterating his party's stance against any coalition relying on direct or indirect support from Arab parties. He criticized Eisenkot's personal ambition, suggesting it outweighed a genuine desire to rectify the current government's perceived injustices. Lieberman asserted that the only way to prevent his feared scenario was for the four parties in their bloc to secure a decisive majority, enabling a liberal Zionist government and preventing Eisenkot from aiding Netanyahu again.

Eisenkot, without naming Lieberman, responded by urging Israelis to ignore "media maneuvers" during this "historic moment" for Israel. He emphasized the need for composure and focus on the goal of replacing the "October 7th government," stating that the public would not forgive politicians driven by personal interests. He pledged that Israel would be better in 11 days.

Benny Gantz, chairman of the National Unity party, defended Eisenkot and criticized Lieberman, stating that Lieberman had achieved far less for Israel than he and Eisenkot had. Gantz accused Lieberman of trying to hide the "dead end" he was leading Israel toward and advocated for a broad Zionist unity government, which he claimed only his party could achieve.

A senior official in the "change bloc" confirmed that Lieberman's statements stemmed from a feeling that Eisenkot had deviated from understandings reached in a recent meeting at Yair Lapid's home. Lieberman was reportedly angered by Eisenkot's "largest party" campaign, viewing it as a breach of prior agreements that could jeopardize the entire bloc's electoral success. Eisenkot had previously stated his intention to form a minority government based solely on Zionist seats, independent of Arab or ultra-Orthodox support, as a response to Netanyahu's accusations of seeking support from parties like Ahmed Tibi's and Mansour Abbas's. However, Lieberman maintained his opposition to such a path, adhering to his conditions of not forming a government with Arab or ultra-Orthodox parties.