Avigdor Lieberman Compares Ultra-Orthodox Parties to Taliban, Warns of Spiritual Takeover in Israel
During a heated interview at Tel Aviv University, Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, launched a sharp critique against the ultra-Orthodox community and its political parties. He equated the lifestyles and political influence of parties like United Torah Judaism and Shas to extremist groups such as the Taliban, warning of a dangerous shift toward a "Halachic state" in Israel that could trigger a deep political crisis.
Lieberman highlighted recent events in Bnei Brak, citing the spread of gender-segregated public spaces and incidents where ultra-Orthodox groups violently confronted soldiers, resulting in hospitalizations without any arrests or indictments. He also noted the inability of tax inspectors to operate in these areas without police protection and expressed concern over the expansion of rabbinical courts’ authority and gender segregation infiltrating academia.
On the contentious issue of military conscription, Lieberman emphasized the necessity of integrating the ultra-Orthodox population into the draft, condemning the creation of what he called a "state within a state." He criticized the ultra-Orthodox parties for excluding women from political representation, comparing them to the Taliban and labeling their policies as racist, citing examples such as the exclusion of Ethiopian women from certain religious schools and restrictions on inter-community marriages.
Lieberman also condemned the current government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as sectarian, anti-state, and anti-Zionist, calling for a future coalition based solely on Zionist and state-oriented principles. He recounted a conversation with Mansour Abbas, leader of the Arab party Ra’am, who expressed a desire to become the "Shas of the Arabs," a comparison Lieberman rejected.
These remarks come amid a tense election season with parties solidifying their positions. Lieberman’s comments deepen the rift with ultra-Orthodox leaders like Aryeh Deri, with whom he once had a close relationship but has since become estranged.
