Lieberman Warns Netanyahu Against Leading Israel Into War
Translated & summarized from Jüdische Allgemeine by baba
Opposition leader Avigdor Lieberman warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against initiating war without parliamentary approval. The dispute arises from unclear government powers during coalition formation after the recent election. Defense Minister Israel Katz asserted that the PM does not need opposition consent for army orders, while Gadi Eisenkot urged restraint from Netanyahu's caretaker government. Both Netanyahu and Eisenkot later confirmed a security briefing would occur.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Avigdor Lieberman warned PM Netanyahu against war decisions without parliamentary and security approval.
- Gadi Eisenkot urged Netanyahu's caretaker government to exercise restraint in security decisions.
- Defense Minister Israel Katz stated the PM needs no opposition consent for army orders.
- Lieberman is being considered for the influential Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairmanship.
- Netanyahu and Eisenkot confirmed a security briefing would occur in Jerusalem.
Opposition leader Avigdor Lieberman has cautioned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against making decisions that could lead Israel into war without parliamentary oversight and full security approval. Lieberman, head of the Israel Beiteinu party, stated on Thursday that a caretaker government, especially one formed after the October 27 election where no bloc secured a majority, should not have the authority to initiate such critical actions.
This warning comes amid a dispute over governmental powers during the coalition formation process, with Gadi Eisenkot of Yashar tasked with forming a government. Lieberman is reportedly being considered for the influential chairmanship of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. He expressed his concerns on the platform X, emphasizing the need for parliamentary control over war-related decisions.
Adding to the tension, Defense Minister Israel Katz reportedly stated that neither he nor the Prime Minister requires opposition or judicial consent to issue orders to the army. Meanwhile, Eisenkot and Netanyahu reportedly clashed on the same day. Eisenkot urged Netanyahu, as the head of a caretaker government lacking Knesset confidence, to refrain from "dangerous steps" and to exercise "restraint and caution" in security and national decisions, particularly given the current tense political climate.
Eisenkot also addressed reports of extraneous considerations influencing security decisions, writing that in the absence of an "immediate and unavoidable threat," the use of security forces could undermine Israeli democracy and public trust. He noted that Netanyahu's government currently has the support of only 46 Knesset members. Despite these concerns, current law does not mandate the establishment of an opposition leader in the new Knesset, meaning the Prime Minister is not legally obligated to share security briefings, even while in a caretaker capacity.
Later on Thursday, both Netanyahu and Eisenkot confirmed that a security briefing would take place at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem.
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