Lieberman Signals Readiness to Compromise with Haredi Parties on Draft Law

Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, has signaled a significant shift in his long-held political stance, indicating a willingness to compromise with Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties, including on the contentious issue of the military draft law. This move follows a Channel 12 report revealing that Lieberman had ended his political boycott of Haredi parties and given his "change bloc" partners the green light to negotiate with them.

For years, Lieberman had adamantly refused to sit in a government with Haredi parties, a commitment he reiterated before the recent elections. However, the current political landscape, marked by difficulties in forming a government without additional partners, has prompted a reevaluation. Lieberman stated in a dramatic social media post that "it is permissible and desirable to be flexible and compromise and understand that you cannot catch too much." He specifically mentioned the draft law as an area for potential concession.

Lieberman's post also served as a stark warning against repeating past political missteps, referencing his accurate predictions about past security threats and the electoral damage caused by the "big party" campaign and minority government discussions. He cautioned that a minority government would be short-lived and could lead to Benjamin Netanyahu's return with a larger mandate, potentially resulting in a "third temple destruction."

He outlined clear red lines: preventing the Netanyahu era from continuing, avoiding further elections, and not forming a government reliant on the abstention of the Joint List and Ra'am parties. While he remains firm against such a government, he stressed that on all other issues, compromise is necessary for the national interest. Lieberman also dismissed rumors about rotation agreements, calling the rotation mechanism itself detrimental to state governance.