Liberman Calls for 'Painful Compromises' on Ultra-Orthodox Draft to Form Government
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS French by baba
Avigdor Liberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, is willing to compromise on ultra-Orthodox conscription to form a government without Benjamin Netanyahu. He set three red lines: ending Netanyahu's era, avoiding new elections, and rejecting minority governments dependent on Arab parties. Liberman criticized past campaign strategies and warned against another failed coalition, fearing Netanyahu's return with a stronger mandate. He denied talks of a prime ministerial rotation.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Avigdor Liberman will compromise on ultra-Orthodox conscription to form a government without Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Liberman's three red lines include ending Netanyahu's era and avoiding minority governments.
- He believes past campaign strategies cost the opposition bloc significant Knesset seats.
- Liberman warned a failed coalition could allow Netanyahu to return with 70 seats.
- He denied any discussions about a rotation in the prime minister's office.
Avigdor Liberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, stated Friday that he is willing to make "painful compromises" on the issue of ultra-Orthodox conscription to facilitate the formation of a government without Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In a lengthy post on X, Liberman urged leaders of the bloc opposing Netanyahu to reassess their strategy following the legislative elections.
Liberman acknowledged that the election results necessitate a reevaluation of their approach, stating, "There are no good alternatives or miracle solutions." He believes the current political climate demands "difficult decisions" and "painful compromises." However, he outlined three non-negotiable conditions: ending Netanyahu's political era, preventing new elections, and rejecting any minority government reliant on the abstention of Ra'am or the Joint List, warning that Yisrael Beiteinu would vote against such a coalition.
"On all other issues, it is permissible and even desirable to be flexible and seek compromises. This also includes the conscription law," Liberman emphasized. He expressed personal pain over this potential concession but argued that Israel's national interest and the Jewish people's future must supersede all other considerations given the nation's challenges.
Liberman also criticized perceived strategic errors during the election campaign, suggesting that focusing on forming the largest party and discussing minority governments cost the "change bloc" seven to eight seats in the final campaign days, with Yisrael Beiteinu losing three to four. He cautioned against another minority government, citing the previous one's short tenure before Netanyahu's return, and warned that a repeat failure could enable Netanyahu to return with 70 Knesset members, a scenario he likened to the "destruction of the Third Temple."
Furthermore, Liberman denied reports of discussions about a rotation in the prime minister's office, stating he had not discussed it with anyone. He considers such a mechanism detrimental to state functioning and believes any prime minister forming a government should have full authority for the entire term. His priority remains forming a coalition of at least 61 Knesset members without Ra'am or the Joint List, suggesting that three to four Likud members might join such a government.
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