Lieberman Calls for Likud Revolt Against Netanyahu, Cites 'Personal Interests'
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman attacked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following preliminary election poll results, calling him self-interested and urging Likud members to oust him. Lieberman also noted that final election results, potentially affected by double envelope ballots, would be clear by Friday morning. His party will determine its coalition strategy after the final results are known, with recent polls showing Yisrael Beiteinu winning between 4 and 8 seats.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Avigdor Lieberman called for a revolt within the Likud party to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Lieberman accused Netanyahu of operating like a crime boss, driven by personal interests.
- Lieberman stated that final election results would be clear by Friday morning.
- He joked about needing surgery to lengthen his short fuse due to the wait for results.
- Recent polls showed Yisrael Beiteinu winning between 4 and 8 Knesset seats.
Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, delivered a sharp speech Tuesday night reacting to preliminary Knesset election poll results, which he peppered with humor and an unprecedented direct attack on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Lieberman initially addressed the polls, stating that the situation was not yet final and that the numerous "double envelopes" (double envelope ballots) could alter the balance. He estimated the full picture would only be clear by Friday morning. Joking about the wait for results, he quipped, "I had to go to my doctor to have my short fuse surgically lengthened."
Lieberman then launched a harsh, direct assault on Netanyahu, claiming he had already received overtures from within the ruling party. "Netanyahu is not right-wing; all that interests him are personal interests, he operates like the head of a crime organization," Lieberman accused. He directly called on Likud Knesset members to "raise the banner of revolt within the Likud and oust him. If he leaves, the national camp can be rehabilitated."
Lieberman stated that Yisrael Beiteinu would decide its next steps only after the final results are clear, anticipating "not simple days" ahead. He added that when a "Zionist government and coalition" is formed, "we will need to fundamentally change things here."
Recent polls showed Yisrael Beiteinu receiving between 4 and 8 seats, with one poll five days before the election placing the party at a low of 7 seats.
