Israeli Politician Offers Compromise on Draft Law to Form Government

Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, announced on Friday his readiness to compromise with the ultra-Orthodox parties on the sensitive issue of the military draft law, aiming to facilitate the formation of a new government. He stressed that his party would vote against any government relying on the abstention of the Joint List and Ra'am parties. Lieberman called for the establishment of a 61-member Knesset coalition that excludes these two Arab parties, while denying any discussions about a rotation in the prime minister's office.

Lieberman outlined three conditions for political moves: the end of Benjamin Netanyahu's tenure, avoiding further elections, and opposition to a government dependent on the abstention of the Joint List and Ra'am. He stated that all other issues are open for compromise, emphasizing the need for flexibility and compromise in the current political reality. "The election results require all of us to recalculate and understand that we have no good alternatives or magic solutions," Lieberman wrote, adding that national interest must supersede all other considerations, even if compromises are painful.

The proposed 61-seat coalition would include Yisrael Beiteinu, Yesh Atid, National Unity, the Democrats, United Torah Judaism, and Shas. This declaration signals a willingness to negotiate on the draft law, a key point of contention with the ultra-Orthodox parties, though Lieberman did not specify the nature of the proposed changes.

Regarding a minority government, Lieberman argued it would be short-lived and ultimately strengthen Netanyahu. He predicted that such a government would collapse quickly, leading to Netanyahu's return with a larger mandate. Lieberman also claimed that the "change bloc" lost seven to eight seats in the recent elections, including three to four from his own party, due to campaign strategies and discussions of a minority government. He reiterated his opposition to rotation agreements, viewing them as detrimental to effective governance.