Lieberman Sets Red Lines, Leaves Door Open for Likud Without Netanyahu

Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, has stated he will not join a government with Benjamin Netanyahu, Arab parties, or Haredi parties. However, he has left open the possibility of forming a coalition with the Likud party, provided Netanyahu is not part of it. Lieberman emphasized that his pre-election stances remain unchanged post-election, declaring, "My word is my word." He specifically mentioned not sitting with "Bibi" (Netanyahu), "Tibi," "Goldknopff," "Der'i," or "Yasser Hujairat," whom he collectively referred to as "supporters of terror," directly or indirectly.

Sources within Yisrael Beiteinu accused Gadi Eisenkot and Yair Golan of alienating voters and inadvertently strengthening the opposing bloc. They claimed Eisenkot's "egoistic campaign" and statements about a minority government drove away potential Yisrael Beiteinu voters. Similarly, they blamed Golan's repeated declarations about forming a coalition with Arab parties for bolstering Netanyahu's support. Yisrael Beiteinu estimates that Eisenkot, Golan, and Bennett collectively caused the loss of approximately eight mandates in the final ten days before the election, primarily benefiting the Likud.

Lieberman also outlined two non-negotiable conditions for any future government: the immediate establishment of a state commission of inquiry and the passage of a universal conscription law. He stated that any coalition not prioritizing these two issues would be irrelevant to his party. Lieberman has not yet spoken with other bloc leaders since the election and does not plan to do so until final results are confirmed.