Avigdor Lieberman Blames Netanyahu for October 7 Failures and Criticizes Iran-Saudi Nuclear Deal
Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the current Israeli government in a Thursday interview with 103FM amid escalating tensions with Iran and the upcoming 2026 elections. Lieberman called for the ousting of what he termed the "massacre government of October 7," asserting that Netanyahu, along with ministers Goldknopf and Deri, should not return to power. He accused Netanyahu of obstructing investigations into the October 7 attacks and engaging in political sabotage, including blocking Likud primaries.
Lieberman also condemned the security arrangements for Netanyahu’s family and criticized the Shin Bet chief for yielding to pressure despite professional advice against certain decisions. He denounced a recent Likud video targeting former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot as "shocking" and irresponsible, highlighting Netanyahu’s role in sharing the video.
On security matters, Lieberman stated that if he had been prime minister, Israel would not have reached the crisis of October 7 nor endured three years of attrition warfare without decisive outcomes against Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. He further lambasted Netanyahu’s handling of the recent US-Saudi civilian nuclear agreement, calling it a "strategic failure" that risks triggering a regional nuclear arms race and increased military spending.
Lieberman warned that by 2028, Israel might lose critical US and EU support for military research and development. He expressed deep concern over Saudi Arabia’s nuclear ambitions without normalization with Israel, comparing it to Iran’s nuclear program which began under the guise of peaceful energy but evolved into a military threat.
Regarding the escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf, Lieberman noted Israel’s heightened alertness and the growing risk of involuntary involvement in regional conflicts. He emphasized that while Israel’s security depends partly on US cooperation, it must prepare independently for Iran’s ballistic missile and nuclear programs. Lieberman concluded by stressing the importance of coordinated strategic planning with and without American involvement, given the complex global stakes in the region.
