Lieberman Admits Concessions on Draft Law Amid Political Realities
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, announced his party's willingness to compromise on the draft law, citing political realities post-election. He reiterated his opposition to joining a government with Benjamin Netanyahu or one reliant on Arab parties. Lieberman denied any contact with Haredi parties and pledged support for Gadi Eisenkot's coalition efforts. His priorities include limiting prime minister terms and establishing a commission of inquiry into the October 7th attack.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu will compromise on the draft law due to election results.
- Lieberman will not join a government with Benjamin Netanyahu or one reliant on Arab parties.
- He denied reports of contacts with Haredi parties and intermediaries.
- Lieberman supports Gadi Eisenkot's coalition negotiations but won't join a Netanyahu government.
- Priorities include limiting PM terms and investigating the October 7th attack.
Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, announced that his party will compromise on the draft law issue due to the election results, aiming for a framework that will withstand Supreme Court scrutiny. He reiterated his refusal to join a government dependent on Ra'am and the Joint List, or one that includes Benjamin Netanyahu. Speaking at his faction meeting in the Knesset, Lieberman expressed hope for the swift formation of a stable government for the next four years, acknowledging that the election results did not meet his expectations for a "change bloc" majority. He stated that to prevent further elections, leaders of the bloc had to re-evaluate priorities and be willing to compromise, defining his boundaries as ending Netanyahu's era, preventing new elections, and not forming a minority government reliant on Arab parties.
Lieberman explained that the party's "maximalist" approach to the draft law during the election campaign was based on the belief in broad public support, but the current political reality necessitates a more "normal" model that meets legal standards. He emphasized that compromise does not mean abandoning values. He also strongly denied reports of contacts with Haredi parties, calling the rumors "a new Israeli record" and specifically refuting claims that Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion and Avi Abuhatzira acted as intermediaries.
Lieberman clarified that he is not a candidate for prime minister and fully supports Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the National Unity Party, whom his party recommended. He stated he would stand by Eisenkot in coalition negotiations but would not join a unity government that includes Netanyahu, even if Eisenkot pursued it. He also indicated no personal ambition for a rotation in the premiership. Lieberman outlined his priorities for the new Knesset, including replacing the Knesset speaker, appointing a state comptroller, advancing a bill to limit prime minister terms to two, and addressing laws related to judicial reform. He pledged that the first action of the new government would be to establish a state commission of inquiry into the October 7th massacre.
Concluding his remarks, Lieberman expressed confidence in the ability of the change bloc leaders to form a stable government, despite differing political views, emphasizing their shared responsibility for Israel's well-being and international standing.
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