Lieberman Willing to Make Painful Concessions on Conscription Law

Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party and a Knesset member, announced his readiness to make painful concessions on the conscription law, despite personal opposition. He stated that national interest necessitates overcoming differences and reaching compromises to form a stable government and prevent Benjamin Netanyahu from returning to power.

Lieberman emphasized that election results require all parties to reassess their positions, acknowledging the absence of easy solutions. He urged learning from past mistakes and approaching future political steps without immediate calculations. He recalled past warnings, including one in December 2016 about Hamas infiltration near Gaza, which he claims were initially dismissed but later proved accurate.

He also reflected on the recent elections, noting his prior warnings that focusing on the "largest party" and minority government scenarios harmed the "change bloc." He observed a decline in the bloc's seat count, attributing a loss of 7 to 8 seats in the final ten days of the campaign, including 3 to 4 for Yisrael Beiteinu, to Netanyahu and the Likud party.

Lieberman cautioned against repeating past errors, advocating for strategic, forward-thinking political moves. He cited the previous "change government's" short tenure, which led to Netanyahu's return with a 64-seat majority. He warned that a minority government would likely be unstable and could result in Netanyahu returning with an even larger majority, potentially leading to what he described as the "destruction of the Third Temple."

Regarding negotiations, Lieberman outlined three core principles: ending Netanyahu's era, avoiding new elections, and not forming a government reliant on the abstention of the Joint List and the United Arab List (Ra'am). While firmly opposing governments based on such abstentions and vowing Yisrael Beiteinu would vote against them, he indicated flexibility on other issues, including the conscription law, stating national interest must supersede all else.

He dismissed speculation about his intentions, asserting his direct communication style. Lieberman denied discussing a rotation government, which he believes has historically harmed state administration, and advocated for the prime minister to have full authority. He called for efforts to form a 61-seat coalition without the Joint List or Ra'am, suggesting potential inclusion of Likud members afterward, to create a stable government and return Israel to its correct path.