Lieberman May Lead Israel's Government Amid Coalition Challenges
Translated & summarized from Mignews by baba
Avigdor Lieberman is reportedly being considered to lead a new Israeli government with the support of ultra-Orthodox parties, though significant obstacles remain. Disagreements over conscription, legal challenges, and competing leadership ambitions are key issues. President Yitzhak Herzog has tasked Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government, giving him 28 days. Lieberman has previously denied seeking the prime minister role.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Avigdor Lieberman may lead an Israeli government with ultra-Orthodox support, facing coalition challenges.
- Key obstacles include disagreements over conscription, legal hurdles, and rival leadership ambitions.
- A potential condition involves a 1.5-year suspension of yeshiva student conscription and arrests.
- President Yitzhak Herzog tasked Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government on November 8, 2026.
- Lieberman has denied pursuing the prime minister position but has not ruled out compromise.
Reports indicate that a potential government led by Avigdor Lieberman, with the support of ultra-Orthodox parties, is being considered in Israel. Behind-the-scenes contacts are reportedly underway between ultra-Orthodox representatives and political factions interested in forming a new coalition, according to Channel 14. However, this scenario faces significant hurdles, including internal disagreements within the ultra-Orthodox camp, legal complexities, and the political ambitions of potential coalition partners.
Avigdor Lieberman has previously denied engaging in negotiations with the ultra-Orthodox or seeking the prime minister position. Observer Shlomo Filber of Channel 14 identified David Shapira, an associate of Rabbi Dov Lando, and representatives of the Gur Hasidic community as key figures advancing the initiative from the ultra-Orthodox side. Filber estimates these representatives are linked to five of the seven Knesset members from "Yahadut HaTorah," a party that, along with Shas, holds 13 mandates.
A potential condition for an agreement involves a temporary suspension of conscription for yeshiva students and a halt to their arrests for approximately 1.5 years. This plan, however, requires approval from rabbis and agreement from other political forces. Questions also remain about the post-transition period.
The legal aspects of such an agreement pose a serious obstacle, as legal officials have previously opposed legislative efforts to ease conscription requirements for the ultra-Orthodox. A new mechanism to suspend conscription enforcement and related sanctions could face legal challenges and lawsuits.
Filber also suggests that even if an agreement is reached with the ultra-Orthodox, Lieberman would need to consider the positions of Naftali Bennett and Gadi Eisenkot, who are also vying for leadership roles in a future government. Following the October 27, 2026 elections, President Yitzhak Herzog tasked Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government on November 8, granting him 28 days, with a possible 14-day extension. Lieberman has previously indicated openness to compromise with ultra-Orthodox parties, but the question of who will lead the new coalition remains unresolved. Resistance from Likud and other right-wing parties, as well as the stance of Arab factions if excluded from the coalition, could further complicate matters.
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