Lieberman Criticizes Eisenkot, Rules Out Netanyahu Government
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, stated he would not join a government with Benjamin Netanyahu and rejected a minority government. He criticized Gadi Eisenkot for an "egoistic campaign" that allegedly cost the opposition seats. Lieberman confirmed his party would recommend Eisenkot and would support Yair Lapid for Knesset speaker. President Isaac Herzog will begin government formation consultations on Wednesday.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Avigdor Lieberman will not join a government with Benjamin Netanyahu, even in a rotation.
- Lieberman criticized Gadi Eisenkot for an "egoistic campaign" that cost the opposition seats.
- Yisrael Beiteinu will recommend Gadi Eisenkot for prime minister, Lieberman stated.
- Lieberman would support Yair Lapid for Knesset speaker, he also revealed.
- President Isaac Herzog begins government formation consultations on Wednesday.
Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, held a press briefing on Monday where he revealed meetings with figures from both political blocs since the recent election results. He dismissed recent publications as "nonsense" and highlighted his party's electoral gains, stating Yisrael Beiteinu received 337,413 votes, an increase of nearly 124,000 from the previous election.
Lieberman reiterated his firm stance against forming a government with Benjamin Netanyahu, even if offered the top spot in a rotation. He also rejected the possibility of a minority government. Lieberman stated he is trying to be honest and responsible, and while he has criticisms of his opposition partners, they are not personal.
Addressing his meeting with Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yishai party, Lieberman clarified that he told Eisenkot his party would recommend him. Lieberman also met with Likud mayors who pressured him to join a government with Netanyahu. Regarding the Knesset speaker position, Lieberman said Yisrael Beiteinu has never been a "blackmailer" and would support Yair Lapid's bid for the role if he desired it.
Lieberman sharply criticized Eisenkot, blaming him for the opposition's "crushing failure" and for conducting an "egoistic campaign" that he claims cost the bloc seven to eight seats in the final ten days of the election. He accused the media of accepting Eisenkot's statements as gospel and stated he tried to stop the "bleeding."
The briefing occurs amidst a complex political landscape following the election, with the current coalition holding only 53 seats. President Isaac Herzog is scheduled to begin consultations with party representatives on Wednesday to decide who will be tasked with forming the next government.
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