Lieberman Rules Out Coalition With Netanyahu, Declares 'No Sitting With Bibi or Tibi'

Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, announced Thursday that his party will not join a government led by Benjamin Netanyahu and will not sit with "Tibi, Goldknopf, or Der'i." Lieberman thanked voters and activists, stating his party's commitment to a "Jewish, democratic, Zionist, and liberal state." He reiterated campaign promises, emphasizing that "a word is a word" and all pre-election commitments remain valid. Lieberman set clear red lines for coalition negotiations, stating that Yisrael Beiteinu will only join a coalition comprised solely of Zionist parties, explicitly excluding Netanyahu from the Likud party if he were to lead it. He also demanded that the first actions of the next government be the establishment of a state inquiry commission and the passage of a universal draft law.

The statement comes amid a political stalemate following complex election results, where no bloc secured a clear majority. Lieberman's stance could be pivotal in forming the next government, especially given his prior call for Likud members to oust Netanyahu. His sharp declaration positions him in direct opposition to the current Prime Minister and his potential coalition partners, demanding a significant shift in government composition and political agenda.

Separately, Major General (res.) Gadi Eisenkot met with Shin Bet Director David Zini on Thursday. During the meeting, Eisenkot was briefed on suspicions of foreign interference in Israel's elections. Eisenkot expressed support for the Shin Bet and law enforcement agencies to conduct a swift and transparent investigation into the matter.