Lieberman Outlines Post-Election Agenda: Conscription, Religious Reform

Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, presented his core principles for the next government in a comprehensive interview with Yishai Cohen on Kikar HaShabat.

Lieberman reiterated his firm stance on mandatory military service for all, without exemptions, citing recent reports of widespread draft evasion. He declared that no government would be formed without this condition, stating, "We will not give up on this, there simply will not be a government." He also firmly rejected any coalition with the ultra-Orthodox parties, specifically mentioning Aryeh Deri and Yitzhak Goldknopf, and suggested they needed a significant period in opposition, comparing it to the Israelites' 40 years in the desert.

In a significant proposal for religious affairs, Lieberman outlined dramatic changes, including reducing the Chief Rabbinate to a single Chief Rabbi for all of Israel, eliminating the electoral body that chooses rabbis, and making military service a prerequisite for the position. He also advocated for public transportation on Shabbat, arguing that its current limited availability creates a class disparity. Further reforms include ending the monopoly on Kashrut (kosher certification) and adopting the Nissim report's framework for conversion.

Lieberman also addressed political strategy, stating he would vote against a minority government relying on Arab parties, citing both principled objections and the belief that such a government would be unstable and lead to future elections that would benefit the ultra-Orthodox and right-wing bloc. He expressed confidence that his "serving bloc" would achieve a clear majority, dismissing poll results suggesting otherwise.

He urged voters not to waste their ballots on "atmosphere parties" and criticized Benny Gantz, calling him irrelevant. Regarding the Knesset speaker, Lieberman pledged to vote for the removal of the current incumbent as a first step for the incoming coalition. He also commented on US President Donald Trump's perceived support for Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that while he respects Trump, the decision rests with Israeli citizens, and that any future prime minister can manage relations with the US.