Lieberman Explains Opposition to Minority Government, Cites Potential Gains for Haredi Parties
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, declared his opposition to forming a minority government, citing moral objections to relying on Arab Knesset members and practical concerns about future election results. He warned that a minority government would likely boost Haredi parties and the Netanyahu bloc, potentially reaching 70 seats in the next election. Lieberman dismissed poll data suggesting the opposition lacks a majority without Arab parties, expressing confidence in his bloc's ability to win a solid majority.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Avigdor Lieberman opposes forming a minority government, citing moral and practical reasons.
- He refuses to rely on Arab Knesset members who criticized IDF soldiers post-October 7th.
- Lieberman warns a minority government would boost Haredi parties and Netanyahu's bloc.
- He predicts Deri, Goldkopf, and Netanyahu could reach 70 seats in future elections.
- Lieberman dismissed polls showing the opposition lacks a majority without Arab parties.
Days before elections, Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, stated his firm opposition to forming a minority government, even as a temporary solution. He clarified that on principle, he would not support a coalition reliant on Arab Knesset members who have made statements critical of IDF soldiers following the October 7th attacks, or who have described Hamas as a charitable organization. Lieberman specifically mentioned members of Ra'am, Hadash-Ta'al, and Ofer Cassif as individuals he could not rely on.
Practically, Lieberman warned that a minority government would likely lead to a significant increase in support for the Haredi parties and the Netanyahu bloc in future elections. He described such a government as inherently unstable, susceptible to extortion by individual Knesset members, and unlikely to last long. He predicted that after a short-lived minority government, Haredi leaders like Deri and Goldkopf, along with Netanyahu, would reach 70 Knesset seats in the subsequent election. Lieberman argued that forming a minority government, even temporarily, on the votes of individuals like Yasser Khujirat and Ofer Cassif, would boost these blocs when new elections are called.
When questioned about poll results suggesting the opposition lacks a majority without Arab parties, Lieberman dismissed these predictions. He expressed confidence that his bloc would secure a "solid, real, significant majority," asserting that talk of a minority government signals weakness and defeatism.
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