Lieberman Dodges Question on Potential Coalition With Abbas
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, avoided directly answering whether he would sit in a coalition with Mansour Abbas of Ra'am after election exit polls were released. Previously, Lieberman had strongly opposed any partnership with Ra'am. His evasive response comes as exit polls suggest Arab parties could play a crucial role in forming the next government.
The story in 4 lines · by baba
- Avigdor Lieberman avoided confirming or denying a coalition with Mansour Abbas after exit polls.
- Lieberman had previously stated he would "under no circumstances" sit with Abbas's Ra'am party.
- Exit polls suggest Arab parties may be key to forming the next Israeli government.
- Lieberman's response was seen as evasive, differing from his pre-election stance.
Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, evaded a direct question regarding a potential coalition with Mansour Abbas, chairman of the Ra'am party, following the publication of election exit polls. Before the elections, Lieberman had emphatically stated that he would "under no circumstances" sit with Abbas and Ra'am. However, when asked again after the polls were released, Lieberman responded evasively, saying, "Guys, what we say, we say. Thank you," without explicitly reiterating his opposition.
During the election campaign, Lieberman repeatedly declared he would not sit with Ra'am or form a government relying on its support. He had previously clarified that his objection was not based on ethnicity but because he considered them "separatists." Despite these firm prior statements, Lieberman's response after the exit polls indicated a shift in his approach.
The exit polls suggest the opposition bloc will secure 52-53 seats, while Arab parties collectively gain 17-18 seats. In this context, the possibility of cooperation with Ra'am becomes a significant factor in forming the next government, making Lieberman's earlier commitment to his voters a key point of discussion.
