Lieberman and Eisenkot Agree to Cooperate After Fierce Exchange
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman and Resistance Party leader Gadi Eisenkot met and agreed to cooperate on increasing voter turnout and achieving electoral victory. The agreement follows a period of public criticism by Lieberman against Eisenkot. The leaders aim to replace the current government and remove Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from power. Despite their agreement, a key disagreement on forming a minority government remains unresolved.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Avigdor Lieberman and Gadi Eisenkot agreed to cooperate on increasing voter turnout and achieving electoral victory.
- The leaders aim to replace the current government and remove Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Lieberman had recently accused Eisenkot of seeking a government with Netanyahu and Orthodox parties.
- The meeting occurred after a previous agreement among bloc leaders to avoid internal criticism.
- A disagreement on forming a minority government between Lieberman and Eisenkot remains unresolved.
Avigdor Lieberman met with Gadi Eisenkot, whom he had recently labeled "Gantz-2." The leaders of Yisrael Beiteinu and the Resistance Party agreed on joint efforts to increase voter turnout in the upcoming elections. A statement released on behalf of both leaders emphasized the importance of voting for one of the bloc's four parties and avoiding support for parties unlikely to pass the electoral threshold. They also agreed to continue cooperating for electoral victory and to replace the "failed government."
However, it remains unclear if Lieberman and Eisenkot resolved their main disagreement regarding the formation of a minority government. This meeting follows a previous gathering on September 26 at Yair Lapid's home in Tel Aviv, where leaders of the "change bloc" agreed to refrain from attacking each other and to focus criticism on rival camps. This agreement was apparently not upheld.
On October 16, Lieberman posted a sharp criticism of Eisenkot on social media, accusing him of seeking to form a government with Benjamin Netanyahu and the Orthodox parties. Lieberman claimed Eisenkot's "Big Party" campaign was aimed at drawing votes from within their own bloc, not from the opposition. Eisenkot responded with general remarks, and Lieberman later softened his rhetoric.
Lieberman subsequently urged his bloc partners to focus on achieving over 76% voter turnout and voting for only one of the bloc's four parties. He also stated the goal of removing Netanyahu, planning to act immediately after the Knesset's swearing-in to replace the Knesset speaker and pass legislation concerning the "accused" (referring to Netanyahu).
Earlier this week, Lieberman declared the "end of Netanyahu's era," citing Netanyahu's upcoming 77th birthday and his perceived weakness, being "hostage" to draft dodgers and anarchists. Lieberman argued that Netanyahu's weakness weakens the state and that he is counting on a unity government to save him, predicting betrayal. Lieberman believes victory is possible despite polls, urging partners to unite for a significant win.
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